Disclaimer: "Sailor Moon" and all characters related to
"Sailor Moon" (you know which ones) belong to Naoko Takeuchi,
not me. All other characters are of my design, just so you
know. Text braced with "*…*" indicate character's thoughts.
Note: A couple of Japanese terms--"hajime" means "begin" and
"yame" means "stop." These are kendo fighting terms.
Thank you all who have read the fic so far, and thanks again to
Magdalena for her input in making this fic possible. Any
comments or questions, email me at [email protected]. So onward
to Chapter 4!
HAL :-D
Dragon of the Moon
Chapter 4
"This is like déjà vu all over again!"
---Yogi Berra
DING
The elevator doors open, and the tall man stepped out of the
elevator onto the stark hallway. He turned and saw the single
large wooden door at the end of the hall, and he walked towards
it. A guard sitting behind a podium by the door looked up at
the approaching man, frowned, and stood up, sizing up the
stranger.
The guard looked up and down at the tall man, trying to make
him out. He stood at 6 ½ feet, lean-looking, and had broad
shoulders. The stranger wore a dark business suit, but he also
wore black gloves, and sported black shades that hid his eyes.
His face looked careworn, and his graying hair was slickened
towards the back of his head. He also carried at long metal
briefcase, nearly four feet long; though it looked heavy, the
man seem to carry it with relative ease.
The man stopped at the guard's podium. The shorter guard sized
him up again, trying not to flinch, and said in a firm voice,
"This floor is restricted."
The man didn't speak.
The guard said curtly, "Didn't you hear what I said? This
floor is off-limits, so go back."
"I am here on official…business," the tall man finally said.
His voice was thick and heavily accented, but hardly showed any
emotion.
The guard's eyes narrowed, and looked at the stranger's
briefcase.
"Reports from headquarters," the tall man said, as if answering
the guard's next question.
The guard was unconvinced. He motioned the stranger to put
down the briefcase by the podium, and he pressed a button inside
the podium. A small panel opened between them, and a hand plate
appeared.
"Procedure," the guard said, "so take off your glove and
identify."
The tall man tilted his head at the guard, as if questioning
him, but the guard remained stoic. The tall man relented, put
down the briefcase by the podium, took off one glove from his
hand and placed his hand on the plate, and spoke softly:
"Pavel…Anton…Petrovich."
A series of beeps rang out, as the stranger's hand and
briefcase was scanned. The readings from the stranger's hand
cleared him, but the briefcase showed up blank.
"Open the briefcase, sir," said the guard.
The tall man looked at the guard, and said, "My clearance
checks out. I don't need to open it."
"Listen, pal," the guard started to say.
"Mizuki?" a voice called out from a speaker in the podium.
Mizuki the guard pressed the button, and said, "Yes, sir?"
"My guest does have clearance, so let him through at once," the
voice said.
"Yes, sir," Mizuki sighed, and pressed another button, and the
giant wooden door hissed open for Petrovich. Petrovich nodded,
and put his glove back on, reached down to pick up his suitcase,
and started to walk in.
Mizuki, put off by Petrovich, mumbled something under his
breath. Quick as a flash, Petrovich grabbed Mizuki by the
throat and shoved him hard against the wall. Mizuki, taken
completely by surprise, gawked aloud after being pounded to the
wall, and gagged when Petrovich raised him a foot up the wall by
the throat. Mizuki clutched at his neck, trying desperately to
breathe and trying to break the hold, but Petrovich only
squeezed more.
Petrovich's face remained in it's stone-like state, but tilted
his head to the guard, and said thickly, "Would you care to
repeat that…a little louder?"
Mizuki, his face turning blue, nodded quickly, and Petrovich
loosened his hold and bought him down to the floor, but did not
yet let go of Mizuki's throat.
The guard gasped, and looked wildly at Petrovich.
"Well?" Petrovich asked, and began to squeeze again.
"I said…" Mizuki said quickly, "I said…stupid…gaigin…
A small grin finally formed on Petrovich, and he said, "Next
time you have the urge to say epithets, you either hold your
tongue until you're out of earshot, or keep your comments to
yourself. People won't take it…kindly…like I did. Understood?"
Petrovich let go of Mizuki, who dropped to the ground coughing.
Petrovich picked up his briefcase again and entered through the
doorway, and the door hissed to a close.
Petrovich walked through the dimly-lit hallway, the
click-clack of his shoes echoing off the out-of-sight walls.
At the end of the hallway was a long mahogany table, sparsely
furnished, with one lamp providing the only light in the
immediate area.
But no one sat at the table, instead there was one tall figure
standing away from it, his attention turned to the tall glass
windows, gazing at the twinkling city lights outside.
Petrovich made his way to the table, and upon reaching it,
stopped, and waited patiently for acknowledgement. The figure
at the window, who also sported a dark business suit, didn't
turn around, but spoke, "A little rough on my guard, weren't
you?"
Petrovich was unfazed. "His attitude needed…adjustment," he
said.
"Why Anton, I didn't know you were so sensitive," said the
figure.
Petrovich's brow twitched, and he let out a quiet grunt.
The figure turned, and Petrovich could barely make out his
features in the poor light, but he noted the man's short
salt-and-pepper hair and medium build. The face looked somewhat
careworn, but the eyes, Petrovich saw, seemed to gleam.
Petrovich bowed his head, and said, "Pavel Anton Petrovich, at
your service, Master Asuka."
Asuka raised his hand, and said, "Please! We can dispense with
the formalities, Anton, my old friend. You must be tired. Have
a seat." And Asuka pressed a button on his desk, a trapdoor
opened on the other side of Petrovich, and a soft stool arose
from it.
Petrovich's brow twitched again, looked at the stool
skeptically, and back at Asuka. "I like to stand," he finally
said.
"Your paranoid senses are still fresh in you, I see," bemused
Asuka, who sat down on his own chair on his side of the table.
Petrovich managed the slightest of grins. "It keeps me…alert,"
he responded.
"One of the assassins' endearing qualities, of course,"
countered Asuka, who leaned back on his chair.
Petrovich cleared his throat. "I was sent from Home Base to
this station, though I am curious to reasons why, and they said
I will find out here."
"Simple," said Asuka, "I sent for you. I may have use of your
talents here."
"That doesn't explain why…"
"I will explain everything once my other guest arrives."
That caught Petrovich's attention. "Your…other guest?" he
asked.
"She should be arriving any moment now," said Asuka.
"'She?'"
Suddenly, the air in the room chilled, and sparks of lightning
flashed 10 feet away from the two men. The sparks coalesced
into a large oval, forming what looked like a portal, and a
large figure stepped through it.
Petrovich, for once surprised at the unexpected entrance,
flinched back a few steps, keeping his gaze firmly at the figure
who had stepped into Asuka's office right out of thin air.
Asuka, meanwhile, just grinned at the light show.
The portal then closed, leaving a tall creature behind. The
creature sported large leathery wings, had red skin, clawed
limbs, and wore a flowing golden robe. But Petrovich saw this
creature had a female-like appearance, with long flowing black
hair and a shapely, muscular figure, and her eyes glowed a dull
red, and her face had a large toothy grin, her fangs prominently
showing. A dull crystal hung around her broad neck.
A disturbing thought came to Petrovich's mind. *Oh no…not
her…not that bossy windbag again…anything but her…*
Asuka stood up and acknowledged the creature, "Ahh, Lynx, my
dear, welcome! I hope your trip was satisfactory?"
The creature named Lynx bowed, "It was, Master Asuka.
Commandant Lynx, reporting as ordered."
Asuka bowed back. "Splendid. And I'm sure you remember
Petrovich?" he asked, motioning to the other man.
Lynx looked at Petrovich, and she brightened. "Commander
Petrovich! You old nefarious Cossack! So they thawed you out
from your frozen dacha, yes?" she cackled.
*Ughh, it IS her,* Petrovich winced inwardly. He hid his
disgust, though, and managed a small grin and bowed to her.
"It has been…a long time, Mistress Lynx. Quite a new look for
you, too," he finally said.
"Ah, of course. You rather prefer my…ahem, human side?" she
chuckled.
Suddenly the crystal began to glow, and soon her body glowed as
well, and in a flash, she had transformed into a human woman.
She had shrunk from her tall seven-foot frame to a slender
5-foot, 7-inch form. Her long flowing hair had tuned from black
to red, she had green eyes, a shapely body, and wearing a sexy
evening dress.
Lynx tossed her head, and gave a deep sigh as she rubbed the
back of her head. "Ugh…I had forgotten how much of a drain it
was to transform into…into this," she sighed, and winked at
Petrovich.
Petrovich cleared his throat, and turning to Asuka, he asked,
"Master Asuka, now that we are all here…"
"Ah yes, so we are," Asuka chuckled, and he sat down, facing
his two guests. Lynx sat down on the empty stool, while
Petrovich remained standing. Asuka continued, "But first off,
do you have a report from the Dark Dimension, Lynx?"
Lynx nodded. "Our warriors are being prepared as we speak,
Master. Their hibernation period is almost near its end; we
just need sufficient energy to bring them into top shape. Then
our long-delayed assault on Earth will finally begin," and she
evilly grinned, "and then, the galaxy, then the universe
beyond!"
"Provided, of course, of no further…delays," interjected
Petrovich.
Now it was Lynx who frowned, and gazed hard at Petrovich. "Our
forces WILL be ready, I assure you…Commander," she said
haughtily, "our armies are like no other, and we will sweep any
force who dares faces us, and crush them with ease."
Petrovich, inwardly satisfying himself in needling Lynx,
smirked, "Lest we forget our little…Siberia episode…"
Lynx fumed. "Grrr…THAT was nothing but...but a fluke!" she
spat, "but this time, Commander Petrovich, we WILL win!"
"Enough!" interrupted Asuka, who seemed to enjoy the verbal
match before him. "I brought you both here for a purpose," he
said, and Lynx and Petrovich gave each other one last hard look
and looked at Asuka, who pressed another button on his desk.
A projection screen was lowered adjacent to them, and a series
of images slowly flashed on it: action shots of five
sailor-suited girls and one tuxedoed man.
Asuka gestured to his guests, "I'm sure you have heard of the
Sailor Senshi and their mysterious accomplice, Tuxedo Kamen?"
Petrovich's brow went up again, peering at the photos as if
picking out details, and nodded. Lynx, however, tossed her head
and snorted.
"Bah! Those silly girls? In those skimpy, tacky outfits they
wear? Hah! Plenty of flash but very little substance, I say.
Though that Tux Boy looks rather handsome," and she coyly
grinned.
Asuka chuckled, but Petrovich said nothing, keeping his eyes on
the flashing photographs, and he finally said, "Does your hidden
paparazzi ever clean his lens?"
*Ah…he spotted them, good work, Anton,* thought Asuka, and Lynx
said, "What are you talking about, Petrovich?"
"These shots were taken from afar…tough, good shots with zoom
lens, but their faces…something's wrong with them," he said, and
moved closer to the screen, his eyes narrowing behind his
shades. Indeed, the faces of the senshi and Tuxedo Kamen, upon
closer inspection by Petrovich…
"…They are blurred, and a sheen upon them…" Petrovich pointed
out.
"Your eyes are as sharp as ever, Anton," marveled Asuka, "yes,
their faces cannot be seen clearly."
"Hahaha! They must have broken the lens!" Lynx laughed.
Asuka shook his head. "They did not, my dear Lynx. That fuzzy
sheen on their faces appear on every scant photograph we ever
took of them. Even a couple of pictures with civilians nearby,
whose faces were quite clear, theirs were not. Our scanning
equipment's analysis turned up negligible results."
Petrovich cocked his head, and said, "A glamour?"
Lynx sweatdropped. "A what?" she asked.
"Yes, that's what I think so too," Asuka nodded.
Petrovich turned back and addressed Lynx, "A glamour, Commander
Lynx, is a sort of veil…a magical veil…a cloak, if you will,
like your transformed human state. The Senshi and this Tuxedo
Kamen fellow must have some magical spell over themselves. To
be able to blur a camera lens…rather clever idea to conceal
their identities, and they don't fight in front of a crowd."
Lynx bore a confused look on her face, and said, "I don't
understand."
"The Sailor Senshi's battles has few witnesses, Lynx,"
continued Asuka, "and even a monster's victims were unconscious
or half-conscious to pick out details. And every monster that
went up against them, stood no chance against them."
"Feh…preposterous," mumbled Lynx, but she looked at Asuka, back
to Petrovich, and finally back to Asuka. "It seems you both
know plenty of the enemy I don't know about," she muttered.
Asuka chuckled, "Actually, Anton knows as much as the
intelligence we gathered on the senshi, which is rather
limited."
"I always thought it a sound idea to know your enemy before
facing them," said Petrovich, who smirked at Lynx, who shot back
a spiteful glare. "But they are the reason we are here,
Master?" he finished.
"Indeed," nodded Asuka, "We have kept ourselves in the shadows
long enough. And after some certain events as of late, I
believe the time has come to deal with them."
"And what has happened, master, that brought them to your
attention?" asked Lynx.
*Time for my bombshells,* thought Asuka, and said, "I'm sure
you recall of Captain Nob, Mistress Lynx?"
At the mention of the name, she perked up, and said, "'Captain'
Nob? Hah! Since when he became captain? Yes, I do recall
'Lieutenant' Nob; he was an assistant of mine in the Europe
Sector. Follows orders well, but he's kind of a
stick-in-the-mud, in my opinion. Why? Did he get promoted
again for kissing plenty of rear ends?"
"Actually, he's dead, Lynx," said Asuka solemnly.
Lynx's eyes widened in shock. "WHAT? But…how?" she breathed.
Asuka turned to Petrovich, and said, "You remember Nagash?"
Petrovich started at the name, and nodded slowly. "He
was…Kerensky, my old associate," he said quietly.
Asuka nodded, "That was his human name, yes. He's gone too."
Petrovich shook his head, but remained quiet. Lynx, however,
was flabbergasted.
"Nagash…from the First Winged Order, is dead too? But
that's…that's impossible…" she gasped.
"I find it hard to believe myself, mistress," said Petrovich,
"Kerensky…that is, Nagash, was a good fighter…not as good as me,
but he had potential…someone beat him?"
"Nob may have been a fool, but he cannot have been killed so
easily!" cried Lynx, and she stopped, looked the projection
screen again, and back at Asuka. "You mean to say it was THEM?
THEY killed Nob and Nagash??" she grated furiously.
Asuka said nothing, but closed his eyes and folded his hands.
Lynx was aghast, and pounded her fists on the mahogany table.
"Master Asuka! Answer me! Did the Senshi brats and that Tux
punk kill them?" she spat angrily.
"Commandant Lynx!" called out Petrovich, "Keep your place!
There is more to this, isn't it, master?"
Asuka nodded, and softly said, "As you both know, we have need
of soul energy to restore our Soultaker army. Our research has
found that human couples exude high levels of energy when in
love; their souls having reached a peak when two humans meet and
their energies are compatible and multiplied…a meeting of 'soul
mates,' as they like to describe it."
Lynx shook her head, "Master, we know all about this, what does
it have to do with our fallen comrades?" she exasperated.
"As I was getting ready to say, Commandant," Asuka said
pointedly to Lynx, who quieted down, "Captains Nob and Nagash
were sent on similar missions: to recon and obtain soul energy
from potential couples. Their power crystals were attuned with
our home power crystal here at headquarters, so their
telemetry--energy readings, collected energy, and the like--were
tracked.
"A few days ago, Nagash and Tor, a Third Level grunt, were in
the Fujiyoshida Park sector, in the process of recovering a
couple's soul energy. But according to the telemetry, they
became separated, and, to our complete surprise, their energy
signatures were gone."
"Gone?" said Lynx.
"Completely," continued Asuka, "their own energy taglines
became flat. So I, fearing the worst, dispatched Nob to
investigate. Upon his arrival, he found no trace of Nagash nor
Tor, except for one thing…a piece of Nagash's sword. It was
cloven in two."
"Hmmm," Petrovich grunted.
"So what happened to Nob, Master?" asked Lynx.
"He was itching to find out who killed Nagash, so I sent him
out last night, but this time, I made it a 4-man team: Anuk and
Anak, two Second Order grunts, Sniper, a top-notch archer, and
Nob himself. According to their telemetry, they have caught a
couple, but something went wrong…"
"It was them, wasn't it?" Lynx growled, "Those no-good senshi…"
Asuka raised his hand. "Wait, Lynx. As I was saying, they had
their victims, but something was happening to them. First,
Sniper flat-lined, then Anuk and Anak. Nob's readings became
erratic and unstable, as if he went through serious trauma.
Then bam! His readings also went kaput."
"Yes, and it was all because of those Sailor brats! Ooohh, I
will make mincemeat out of their hides…" hissed Lynx.
But Petrovich saw Asuka's worried face, and said, "You don't
think it was them, don't you, Master?"
Lynx blinked, and looked incredulously at Asuka, and back to
Petrovich. "Well, who else but the Sailor Senshi, Commander?"
she said coldly.
"Mistress Lynx, please calm yourself. Something does bother me
of the whole mess," he said.
"Oh? And what would that be, Commander Petrovich?" Lynx
huffed.
"Particularly Nagash's demise. Something's not right," he
said, "Master? You said Tor and Nagash…were separated?"
Asuka nodded, and thought, *Anton's curiosity is piqued. He
wants to know who beat his former partner.*
"So Tor and Nagash faced their own fates on their own. Tor, I
would think, would have taken on the Sailor Senshi, since the
Third Order grunts are…as you can say…not too bright, and he
lost," continued Petrovich, "but Nagash was smarter, and know
when to retreat when the odds were against him. Someone got to
him…alone…"
Petrovich shook his head, and thought aloud, "Nagash chooses
his own battles; he's a singular fighter."
"So one of the senshi or Tux boy fought him…and beat him?" Lynx
asked.
Petrovich shook his head again. "It couldn't have been a
senshi. They fight as a team, which is their strength. That's
how Tor lost. Tuxedo Kamen appears as a lone card, but he
doesn't strike me as a close-in fighter…" and Petrovich drifted
off.
His brow furrowed, and looked back at Asuka, and said, "A new
enemy."
"Yes," Asuka agreed.
"A swordfighter?"
"Nob's report of the area said no trace of explosive discharge
or shell: no bullet, no gun. Given Nagash's true size and
training, I doubt a knife would stop him. So yes, I would think
a swordfighter," Asuka intoned.
"And you think this…swordfighter, also killed Nob and his
troop? Bah! That's crazy! A lone swordfighter taking on
Soultakers? I find that very hard to believe, Commander,"
grumbled Lynx, but Petrovich took a deep breath, a disturbing
thought entering his mind.
*But I can, Lynx…* thought Petrovich, *I can certainly
believe…one can, and even did, take on the Soultakers…many years
ago…*
Petrovich looked at Asuka again, and said, "So my mission is to
locate and eliminate Nagash's and Nob's killer?"
"No. Not just yours, Anton. Lynx will also be on hand in this
investigation. I want to know who our new player is," said
Asuka.
Lynx's eyes widened, and snorted, "Master Asuka, with all due
respect, it looks like a waste of my resources to search for one
adversary…"
"This 'adversary,'" Asuka curtly interjected, "was capable of
taking on two First Winged Order captains, two of your own kin.
The assumption that the Sailor Senshi and this adversary are
working in league must be scrutinized."
Asuka then settled back on his chair, closed his eyes, and
slightly grinned. "Besides, I think it's time we test the
senshi on what they are made of. What do you say, Commandant
Lynx?" he said slyly.
Lynx, slightly taken aback, straightened with a wide smile.
"The senshi are no match for us, master. Even their mysterious
ally, they have no hope against us. We will win!" she cackled.
Asuka nodded, and said, "Very well, Lynx. I admire your
enthusiasm, but keep that brashness in check for now I want
intelligence before our assault can begin. I'll leave that
assignment to you."
"You wish is my command, Master," Lynx said finally as she
bowed. She turned around, and soon the crackling lights of the
portal appeared again. She stepped through it, and she was
gone.
Asuka turned to Petrovich, who seemed lost in thought, and
asked, "Presumptuous, isn't she?"
"She always was," Petrovich said, "but, Master, you said this
was Lynx's and my assignment. What's my part of my mission?"
"You will play observer, Anton," Asuka said, "Lynx would no
doubt face the senshi, but you will be on the lookout for our
new adversary. I have a feeling your skills…or even perhaps
mine…will be tested."
"This adversary has you worried?"
"Concerned, Anton…merely concerned. But as humans are wont to
say: 'Better safe than sorry.'"
Petrovich nodded, bowed, picked up his long briefcase, and
turned towards the doorway. The click-clack of his shoes
bounced off the hidden walls of the long hallway. But when
Petrovich reached the doorway, Asuka called out, "Commander
Petrovich!"
Asuka's voice sounded deeper and louder from where Petrovich
stood, and he turned to face his master.
"Master?"
Asuka's eyes twinkled, and said aloud, "Keep your blade sharp!"
Petrovich managed a small grin upon hearing that, and patted
his briefcase. "It always is, my master," he said.
Petrovich bowed again, and left through the door. Asuka turned
and faced the dawning sky before him, and he too, grinned.
A cool breeze blew through the quiet streets of the Juuban
neighborhood, as dawn crept quietly over the rest of Tokyo. The
eastern sun began to peek over the mountains, bathing the city
with a warm glow.
Over at the large mansion atop Minato-ku, two figures clad in
kendo uniforms faced each other silently. The two, one in white
and the other in black, held their bamboo swords at the ready,
waiting for the other to make the first move. Their faces are
completely hidden behind their facemasks, showing no outward
sign or expression to tip off the other. They stood there for
what seemed for minutes on end, the only noises being heard were
from birds flying overhead, and the faraway hum of Tokyo's
traffic.
They waited…and waited…until suddenly…
"HAJIME!!" the white-clad fighter yelled.
At that, the white fighter sprung forward and charged at the
black-clad fighter, bringing his sword right at his opponent's
head, but the other fighter managed to bring his sword over his
head to block the attacker. The ice finally broken, the other
fighter sprung to his feet and started delivering a series of
thrusts and counterthrusts, and his opponent answered in kind.
The loud CLACK CLACK of the wooden kendo swords resonated
through the yard.
For the next ten minutes, both fighters clashed furiously,
neither one giving any quarter to the other. Several times they
locked their swords and brought themselves close, mask to mask,
grunting at each other. Until at last, when they locked swords
again, the white fighter whispered:
"Venus."
"What?" the black fighter flinched, and slightly dropped his
hands.
"Gotcha," the other said.
The white fighter pushed his hands upward, and the black
fighter was thrown off balance. The white fighter unleashed a
furious barrage of thrusts from his kendo sword, bearing down at
his opponent. The black fighter gamely blocked each thrust, but
then one managed to hit his right shoulder.
"OW!" the black fighter grunted.
"YAME!" the white fighter declared.
They both stopped, retreated from each other a few steps, and
respectfully bowed at each other.
The beaten fighter took off his mask. "That…was a
dirty…trick…Arch," Rolie said breathlessly.
"Oh?" Archie huffed as he took off his own mask, "and you
think…the Soultakers…won't resort to…dirty tricks?"
Rolie mumbled incoherently.
"And are you still favoring that shoulder?" Archie added.
Rolie nodded, and said, "The Soultaker's arrow was barbed. It
took me longer to take it out."
"Ah, I see. That and your guilty conscience left yourself open
to my attacks."
"Guilty conscience?"
"You were just thinking about Sailor Venus, weren't you?"
"What? No way," Rolie scoffed, "it's…it's just the barb.
Besides, you were gunning for my shoulder anyways."
"Humph. A likely story," Archie surmised, "you're better than
that, and you know it."
"Aw, lay off, Arch. You're starting to sound like an old,
crotchety sensei."
"I AM an old, crotchety sensei," he shot back, "and I'm gonna
get you into shape, even if it kills you…or me."
Rolie sighed deeply and sat on the ground. Archie strode up to
him and sat down beside Rolie, and said, "You ARE feeling
guilty, aren't you?"
After a long pause, Rolie finally nodded, and said, "I guess I
am. But damn it, Arch, I have good reason, don't I? I'm…having
mixed feelings. I have seen the Sailor Senshi fight that
Soultaker in Fujiyoshida Park, and they were impressive. Then I
see Sailor Venus very foolhardily take on four of them, but she
did save that couple, or else they would have been dead. So I
admire her for that. But still…" and Rolie shook his head.
"Rolie?" Archie replied, "the Sailor Senshi have been around
for a couple of years, and they have taken on monsters before."
"Yeah, but not these kinds of monsters," Rolie replied.
Archie sighed, and patted Rolie's shoulder. "You haven't met
them all, Rolie. If you were to see them in sustained, real
action, maybe that will change your mind."
Rolie looked at Archie. "And YOU have seen them? You seem
determined to sell their case to me, Arch," he said, "you know
something I don't know, hmmm?"
*Whoops! Heh heh, forgot how intuitive he is,* thought Archie,
and chuckled, "Hah! What's an old fogey like me going to know
about the Sailor Senshi anyhow?"
Rolie raised an eyebrow at that.
Archie grinned back at him, and said, "Let's just say I have a
little faith in them. You should too."
Rolie thought it over, but shook his head. "I'm not ready to,"
he replied, "and after all that I went through before, I don't
think I can."
*Drat, he's as stubborn as a mule,* Archie thought. He sighed,
and finally said, "So, shall we resume?"
"No, I had enough for today."
"Rolie-boy…"
"I mean it, Arch. Just…drop it, okay?" said Rolie curtly, and
stood up, and walked off a few feet.
"Okay, Rolie, if you say so," said Archie resignedly, "so what
do you have in mind for today?"
Rolie stood quietly, staring at the far walls of the yard, and
then said, "I should get to know more around here."
"Not a bad idea," said Archie, "why not drop by Minako Aino's
house and ask her for a tour of the neighborhood, hmmm?"
Rolie coughed at the mention of Mina's name. "Umm, I think
I'll…umm, oh, head over to the Crown Game Center, and maybe ask
Motoki for that tour, yeah…heh heh," Rolie blushed.
Archie grinned mischievously. "Aww, go on now. What's the
matter? I thought you liked the prettier ones," and he swiftly
whacked Rolie's rear end with his kendo sword.
"Hey!" Rolie cried, "Minachan is pretty…umm, I mean…"
"Aha! You sly dog!" chuckled Archie, whacked Rolie again, and
was soon chasing him around the yard. "Didn't you OWE her
something? Well, didn't you??"
"Ow! Hey, watch it! Well, umm, yeah, I do…umm, oh boy…" Rolie
mumbled.
"So? What are you waiting for? A gold-lettered invitation?"
Archie cracked, and whacked Rolie again.
"Ow!! All right! All right!" Rolie laughed, and both men
headed into the house.
Later that morning, at the Crown Game Center, Motoki was in his
back office filling orders, when Unazuki knocked on the door.
"Onii-san?" she asked.
"Yes, imouto-chan?"
"There's a gentleman here to see you. He asks if you needed
more help in making new smoothies?"
"Huh? Oh! It's Rolie-san. Tell him I'll be right out," he
chuckled.
After a few minutes, Motoki put his papers away, and just
before he left his office, he took a small velvet box from his
coat and put it in his pants pocket, and met Rolie at the
counter.
"Rolie-san!" said Motoki.
"Motoki-san! How are you?" replied Rolie.
"I'm great! And you know what? You are a genius!"
"Huh? I am?"
"The smoothies! They're a hit! After you left, I made a few
more for my customers, and they liked it so much, they'll be
telling their friends too! I'm thinking after a few days of
word-of-mouth advertising, people will flock to the Center!"
"Whoa! Easy there, Motoki-san," laughed Rolie, "smoothies have
been around for a while already. All I did was add…"
"Shh!! Shh!!" Motoki hissed, and clamped his hand over Rolie's
mouth, and then removed it. "Sorry about that, but extra touch
you did? YOU know that, and I know that, but THEY don't," and
he jerked his thumb at the customers behind him.
Rolie laughed louder. "Hahaha! You are the crafty one, aren't
you? What are you going to do? Corner the strawberry smoothie
market with your 'discovery?'"
Motoki blinked; he hadn't thought of Rolie's contribution, and
sheepishly said, "Well, um, if you like, we can split the
profits, and…"
"Relax, Motoki-san. You can have all the credit. I don't
mind."
"But…"
"I mean it. Make it your unique specialty, something only
found at the Crown Game Center, and reap in your little
'profits.'"
"You're willing to let me do that, all on my own?" asked Motoki
with wonder.
"Think of it as…a charitable contribution, in honor of your
father. You seem to have a bit of his business savvy in you,
Motoki."
Motoki smiled, and bowed. "I am grateful, Rolie-san. If there
is anything I can help you with, just name it."
"Well, there is something you might be able to help me at,"
Rolie said.
"Yes?"
"I'm trying to find Minako Aino."
"Minachan?"
"Yes. You see, I had to leave yesterday to attend some
business at my home, and…umm, I think I left Mina in a lurch
with her ravenous friends," Rolie sweatdropped.
"Ohhh, I see," chuckled Motoki.
"So since Mina and I are new neighbors now, I went to her home
first looking for her, to apologize. But it looked like no one
was home when I rung the bell, so I came here to ask you where I
might find her…"
"Oh, is that it? Well, if she or her folks aren't at home,
then they either gone out together, or Mina could be spending
time with her friends. And knowing that group, it's a good bet
they will be at Hikawa Shrine, Rei Hino's place. It's a very
relaxing place to be, especially today on Sunday."
"Really?" replied Rolie, "so you can show me how to get there?"
"Better yet, I'll take you there myself."
"Oh…but, the store, Motoki?"
"Don't worry, Rolie-san. It's close to noon now, my lunch
break is coming up, and I close up shop for a couple of hours.
So I have plenty of time. Besides, I have another plan in
store, and our visit to the shrine will work perfectly."
"Oh? How so?" asked Rolie.
"You said it first, Rolie. I'm the 'crafty' one, so it will be
my surprise for all involved. So if you would excuse me, I'll
close the Center up so we can go, all right?" said Motoki.
"Well, all right, if you say so," said Motoki, but wondered
what Motoki had in mind.
*Hmm, he looks very excited for just taking off to a shrine.
Wonder what he's up to?* he thought as he waited.
*Must you go?*
The figure she was addressing to didn't turn.
*You CAN'T leave…it's not fair…*
The figure remained silent.
*…Your friends…your family…your…*
*Enough!* the figure intoned, *it's my duty…my 'destiny'…*
A sob. A tear ran down her cheek.
He finally turns, and she could see his eyes.
*I will come back…I will see you again…* he says.
The pendant around his neck glowed.
His eyes glowed.
Suddenly, a deep darkness, cries of pain, agony, and death
surround her…getting louder…louder…LOUDER…
*NOOOOOOOOO!!!!*
"Nooooo!!" Mina cried out.
"Mina! Mina! Wake up please!" cried another voice.
Mina jerked herself awake, breathing hard, and gasped,
"Artemis? No, wait…Luna?"
Mina rubbed her eyes and saw it was indeed Luna at the foot of
her futon. Luna had a worried look on her face.
"Minachan? Are you all right?" the black cat asked.
"Oh…oh, Luna, it was dreadful, I just had a frightening…umm…"
"Nightmare?"
"Yes! Umm, no…I don't know,"
"It must have been a nightmare, dear. You were thrashing
around for a good while." Luna explained.
"I was?" asked Mina, and she looked around herself, she saw
that her sheets and bedding was tossed about. "Whoa, but it
seemed to real, Luna," Mina said.
"Can you remember what you saw?" Luan asked.
"Well, let's see," Mina mumbled, and tried to think. "I
dreamed I was in a castle, and…umm, I saw somebody, a
guy…a…handsome guy, I think," she started.
*Oh, brother,* Luna sweatdropped.
"But, he was in some sort of dark uniform, or armor, like a
knight," Mina continued.
Luna's ears pricked up. *Wait a minute. Haven't I heard of
this before?* she thought.
"What else, Mina?" Luna pressed.
"He…oh, darn it! I can't remember anymore," Mina pouted.
"It's all right, Mina," Luna sighed, "perhaps the next time
you'll remember more."
"You really think so, Luna? Because…ummm…" she drifted off,
and looked around the room. Something wasn't right.
"Luna? This isn't my room. This isn't my house." said Mina.
"Well, of course it isn't, my dear. Don't you remember?
You're here at the shrine. Rei put you up for the night,"
explained Luna.
Mina looked around at her surroundings, and indeed the shrine's
walls marked the room's perimeter. It was sparsely furnished,
but clean. Mina looked at Luna again.
"I must have really been bush-leagued, weren't I, Luna?"
"Ahem, 'bushed' you mean? Yes, you were. You poor girl. You
have gone through a lot this past day and a half, haven't you?"
said Luna.
Mina cocked her head, and asked, "Day and a half? What time is
it now, Luna?"
"It's almost noon. You have been asleep since 7:30 last
night…almost 17 hours, Mina."
Mina's eyes widened. "17 HOURS?? Oh my gosh! My parents…"
"Don't worry, Mina. Rei's grandfather called them last night,
telling them you were here and spending the night. He even told
them he was going to put you to do some chores around the
shrine," Luna giggled.
Mina looked at Luna incredulously, and squeaked, "He…he didn't
mean that, didn't he?
"Actually, it was Rei's suggestion, in the hopes of convincing
your parents. And they agreed."
Mina's heart sank. "This has NOT been my week." she mumbled.
Luna smiled in sympathy, and said, "Well, before doing your
'chores,' why don't you freshen up? We're having a meeting
shortly."
Mina sighed and nodded, and started to the bathroom door, when
something occurred to her.
"Luna?" Mina asked, "where's Artemis?"
Luna frowned, and harrumphed, "You're 'guardian cat' seems to
have another agenda, I think. He has been gone since late last
night, handing over his duty to watch over you."
"Did he say where he was going?"
"He said Central Control, but he's way overdue, and I need to
talk to him too. He'd better be back for the meeting," and at
that, Luna stepped out of the room.
*Central Control?* thought Mina, *and he's been gone all
night…was it about the battle? The monsters? The…Dragon
Knight?*
She placed her hand on her forehead, and sighed, "Sheesh, what
else can happen know?"
"HAHAHAHA! Ah Hahaha!" shrieked Usagi.
Rei, Ami, and Makoto sweatdropped as Usagi giggled and laughed
at the book she was reading from.
"How long has she been at that manga, Rei?" grumbled Makoto.
"That's the third back issue she has read in the past hour,"
Rei sighed, "I had thought reading them would keep her busy, but
I had forgotten those were her favorites, and she never tires
from reading them over and over and over…"
"Hahaha! Guys, this is soooo funny! Hahaha!" Usagi gasped.
The others let out a collective groan.
Ami cleared her throat, and asked, "How long do we have to
wait, Rei? It's past noon already."
"Once Luna and Mina get here, we can start," said Rei.
"What's the rush, Ami? It's Sunday, so there's no school
today," said Makoto.
"Well, I had finished two chapters on my science books, and I
would like to get started on my foreign language assignments,"
replied Ami.
Rei and Makoto face faulted; Usagi kept on laughing.
"Same ol' Ami," Makoto murmured.
"Same ol' Usagi, too; she didn't even flinch," grumbled Rei.
Then there was a knock on the door, and Rei responded, "Yes?
Who is it?"
"It's me, Rei-san," said a male voice.
"Oh…Yuuichiro, umm…come in," said Rei.
The door slid open, and Yuuichiro Kumada, dressed in his
priest-in-training robes, entered carrying two trays.
"I brought some tea and cupcakes, since it's lunchtime," said
Yuuichiro.
"Why, that's very thoughtful, Yuuichiro-san," said Ami.
"Yes," said Rei softly, "Thank you very much."
"Did someone say cupcakes?" exclaimed Usagi, and she jumped
from her seat cushion and grabbed a handful of cupcakes.
"Usagi no baka!" yelled Rei, "These cakes are for all of us!"
"But I'm hungry!" Usagi yelled back.
Rei fumed, and snatched a couple of cupcakes back from Usagi.
"We can eat them all…ONE AT A TIME! Not like a pig-tailed
vacuum cleaner!" she snapped.
Tears appeared in Usagi's eyes, and she whimpered, "Rei? Why
are you so mean to meeeeee?? WAAAAHHHH!!!"
Everyone sweatdropped and groaned.
"Rei-san? You can give her those cakes," another voice said
from outside the doorway.
Everyone but Yuuichiro blinked, and Mamoru appeared in the
doorway, holding another tray, and he said, "Yuuichiro-san made
another batch just in case."
"Mamochan!" Usagi cried, and leaped up to her boyfriend,
hugging him.
"Hiya, Usako," said Mamoru softly.
Ami and Makoto giggled, Rei sighed and shook her head.
Yuuichiro chuckled, cleared his throat, and asked, "Would you
like anything else, Rei-san?"
Rei was caught aback, and responded, "Oh…umm, no, thanks,
Yuuichiro-san…err, you ought to get to those chores Grandpa
wants you to do."
Yuuichiro blinked, as if he was expecting another response, and
finally bowed, "Yeah, I better…go, and do the chores…sure…if you
would excuse me…"
"Thank you, Yuuichiro-san," Rei acknowledged, and Yuuichiro
stepped through the doorway, closing the door behind him. Rei
gave out a silent sigh.
Ami and Makoto exchanged glances, as did Usagi and Mamoru.
They all had the same question in mind, but none dared say it
aloud. Rei took her tray and set it down on the table, setting
herself down as well on her cushion, her eyes closed.
"I know what you're thinking," she said softly, "and we all
know the answer to that."
"But, Rei…" Usagi began.
"No, Usagi," Rei interrupted, "you know as well as I do,
as do Makochan, Ami-chan, and Minachan, as well as Mamoru-san,
that our identities must remain hidden. Even if it means…lying,
deceiving our other friends…" and she choked back a cough.
Usagi let go of Mamoru, made her way to Rei, sat down beside
her, and clutched her friend's hand. Rei opened her eyes and
looked at Usagi, who was smiling back at her.
"You've gotten to like Yuuichiro a lot, haven't you?" Usagi
asked.
Rei's eyes widened and gasped. She braced herself for the
incoming taunting, but as she looked at Usagi's face, she saw
she still smiled.
*She…she's not going…to tease me?* Rei thought, and she
blushed.
"Rei?" Usagi began, "You know, I sometimes feel that this is my
fault…that to fulfill your duties as my Senshi, you had to give
up your everyday lives. You had to lie to your family and
friends because you don't want them involved or hurt, but you
still feel you ARE hurting them just the same. And I feel bad
about that."
"Usagi," Rei murmured.
"But I know how it feels," Usagi continued, "How many times I
hide the truth from Naru-chan, from Shingo, from my own mom and
dad? It pains me for doing it, for I too don't want them
involved. But I have hope, Rei…I have hope that one day, when
everything is just right, I can finally tell them the truth, and
I hope they will still love me just the same."
"She's right, you know," a new voice said.
All heads turned to the doorway, and they saw Mina wearing a
miko robe and looking at them, in particular at Usagi and Rei.
"Minachan!" exclaimed Makoto.
"Mina, are you all right now?" asked Ami.
"Yes, I am, thank you," she told them, and she looked back at
Rei and Usagi, and continued, "Rei-chan? I hope you don't mind I
borrow on your robes?"
"Not at all," Rei said as she shook her head.
Mina stepped forward and sat before Usagi and Rei, and she too
clutched Rei's hand with Usagi.
"As I had said," she continued, "Usagi's right, Rei. We must
keep our hopes up that we can tell the truth to our loved
ones…whether they be old acquaintances, or new boyfriends," and
she winked at Rei at that last part, and Rei blushed again.
Usagi hugged Rei's shoulders and said, "We're all in this
together, Rei. And together, we can get through it all."
Rei looked at Mina, who nodded, and to Ami and Makoto, who
nodded as well. Even Mamoru, amazed at Usagi's turn of wisdom,
nodded in agreement.
Rei's eyes welled up, and she playfully tugged at one of
Usagi's pigtails.
"Silly meatball-head," she murmured gratefully.
"Hey, watch it there, Pyro," Usagi chortled.
They glanced at each other, and broke out into laughter, as did
the others.
"AHEM!" a new voice called out.
Everyone turned to the sound, and Luna appeared at the
windowsill.
"Now that the pleasantries are done and Mina is fully
recovered, let's get this meeting started," the black cat said.
Everyone sat down, but Mina piped up, "Luna? Where's Artemis?"
Luna frowned, and deeply sighed, "That cat still hasn't shown
up? Oooh, I'll box his ears in."
"Luna?" asked Mamoru, "If I'm not mistaken, Artemis is not one
to miss meetings. He did ask me last night for me to come here,
so there must be a reason for his tardiness."
"Mamoru-san's right, Luna," concurred Mina, "So can we give him
a few minutes more?"
"Well…" Luna began to say.
"Yay!!" exclaimed Usagi, "in the meantime we can dig into these
cakes!"
Everyone face faulted.
"Look like we have our old Usagi back," joked Makoto, as Usagi
munched on a cupcake.
"Wow…this is really a beautiful place," remarked Rolie.
Rolie was gazing at the landscapes and orderly scenery of the
Hikawa Shrine. A few people were milling about, relaxing under
shading trees, or eating from their bento boxes.
As Rolie looked about around him, Motoki fidgeted, constantly
reaching into his pants pocket. His sister Unazuki noticed
this, and said, "Motoki-onii? Is there something wrong?"
"What?" Motoki jumped, but quickly relaxed, "Oh, no…nothing,
imouto, nothing at all…I'll…be right back," and he left Rolie
and Unazuki alone.
Rolie noticed this, and asked Unazuki, "What's wrong with
Motoki? It looked like he had ants in his pants or something
with all that fidgeting."
"Heh, no, Rolie-san," giggled Unazuki, "he fidgets when
something's going to happen, and I have a sneaking suspicion…"
and she drifted off, watching Motoki closely.
Motoki had stepped a few yards away from Rolie and Unazuki
until he yelled out, "Reika!"
"Motoki-chan!" a new voice responded.
Bounding up the steps of the shrine, a young, red-haired woman
made her way towards a waiting Motoki, who laughed, hugged and
whirled her by the waist around him.
"Ha! I thought it was Reika-chan," said Unazuki smugly.
"Reika?" asked Rolie.
"Motoki's sweetheart," she explained.
"Ohhh, of course," laughed Rolie.
It wasn't long that Motoki and Reika walked back to a waiting
Rolie and Unazuki, and Motoki flushed, "Rolie-san? This is my
girlfriend, Reika."
"Indeed? From the way you two spun around like a top, you
could have fooled me," said Rolie jokingly, and Motoki blushed
and Reika giggled. "A pleasure meeting you, Reika-san," Rolie
added as he bowed.
"It's very nice meeting you, Rolie-san," answered Reika, and
hello to you too, Unazuki-chan. Maybe you can tell me why your
brother has brought us all here to this place?" Unazuki shook
her head and glanced at Motoki, who was grinning from ear to
ear.
All in good time, my dear," said Motoki," so if you all follow
me and the mystery will soon be solved."
Soon, the four visitors reached the main shrine hall, where
they found Yuuichiro sweeping the steps.
"Yuuichiro-san!" called out Motoki.
Yuuichiro looked up, saw his friend and his companions, and
smiled. "Motoki-san! What brings you here?" he asked as he
approached them.
Both men shook hands, and Motoki gestured, "You know my girl
Reika, and my sister Unazuki. This is another friend of mine:
Rolie Drake."
"Yuuichiro Kumada, at your service, Mr. Drake-san," said
Yuuichiro as he bowed.
"Please, call me Rolie," Rolie bowed back and stuck out his
hand.
As Yuuichiro grasped Rolie's hand, time seeming stopped for
them. For the briefest second that seemed an eternity, the air
around them seem to turn into a deep reddish hue, and as they
looked into each other's eyes, both could swear something was
between them. Something hot, glowing, a burning sensation…
…and it was gone, as quickly as it appeared.
*Whoa! What in the world…?* thought Yuuichiro.
*What…was…that?* thought Rolie.
Both let go of each other's hand quickly.
"Yow! Whoa, umm…static electricity," chuckled Rolie nervously.
"Heh...yes, it must have been," agreed Yuuichiro, "sorry about
that, Rolie-san."
"Not a problem, Yuuichiro-san."
"Yuuichiro?" asked Motoki, "are Rei-chan and the others here?"
"Huh? Oh yes, they are. Rei, Usagi, Ami, Makoto, Minako, and
even Mamoru are here. Some sort of meeting they're having, I
guess," he said a bit somberly.
Rolie perked up at hearing Mina's name, "Mina's here too?"
"Yes, she is," said Yuuichiro, and asked Motoki, "you wanted to
see Rei?"
"Actually," said Motoki, after spotting Rei's grandfather
approaching them from a distance, "can you ask all of them to
come out here? I have something to say to all present."
Everyone looked at Motoki with questioning eyes, but he said no
more.
"All right, Motoki. I'll be right back," said Yuuichiro, and
he disappeared into the shrine.
"Just what are you up to, Motoki?" asked Reika.
"You will see, Reika-chan," said Motoki as he squeezed
something in his pocket.
Rolie and Yuuichiro weren't the only ones to feel that
mysterious flash. In Rei's meeting room, everyone were shaking
their heads in bewilderment, wondering what had just happened.
"Did…did you feel that?" asked Ami hesitantly.
"Yeah, it was like a static bolt of some kind," said Makoto.
"But…what could have caused it?" queried Usagi.
"And why did we ALL feel it?" added Mamoru.
Mina just shook her head, but Luna's hackles were up; she even
felt it, but she was watching Rei closely, and noticed she was
trembling.
"Rei? Is something wrong?" asked Luna.
"I…I don't know, Luna," Rei responded shakily, "but, this was
something that was bothering me…"
"You mean you felt this jolt before?" asked Mina.
"I'm thinking we ALL have felt it before," volunteered Mamoru,
"back at the Crown Game Center."
"Yes! I felt…something course through me, Mamochan," exclaimed
Usagi.
"But that doesn't make sense," said Ami, "how could we all feel
a static jolt if we didn't make a circuit in the first place?"
The girls looked quizzically at Ami, as she went on, "To get a
static shock from somebody, that person has to pass it on to
another person physically, merely by touch."
"And to have us all feel the jolt," added Mamoru, "we all have
to be touching each other at the same time: to complete the
circuit."
"Exactly, Mamoru," said Ami.
"But we WEREN'T touching each other back at Crown Game, or even
just now, so how was this possible?" asked Makoto.
"There is more to this static shot, I think," said Luna, and
she turned to Rei and asked, "You think you have an idea what
caused it, Rei?"
"This began back at Crown Game; we all did something to get
that jolt…" she said as she drifted off in thought.
Suddenly, Mina had one thought. *Rolie-san?*
A knock on the door brought them out of their reverie, and Rei
said, "Yes?"
"Sorry to disturb you, Rei," Yuuichiro said as he slid the door
open, "but Motoki sent me to ask you all if you can join him and
his friends outside by the steps. I think he has an
announcement to make."
Everyone looked at each other as they all stood up, and Rei
asked, "Who's Motoki with?"
"Reika, his sister Unazuki, and some other guy…um, Rolie
Drake." said Yuuichiro, and he walked down the hall towards the
entrance.
Mina's breath caught, and everyone hesitated. Rei frowned, but
led the others down the hallway. Luna, however, stayed behind
the group, now intently curious of the unspoken conclusion they
all apparently had made.
*Hmmm,* she thought, *this Rolie Drake fellow may bear
watching. Could HE be the cause of the jolts?*
Meanwhile, deep in the woods behind the shrine, a young woman
leaned against a tall tree, picking at her nails, when a small
crystal hanging around her neck began to glow. She clutched it,
and then a fine mist materialized before her. An image of a
horned and winged Soultaker faced her.
"Captain Tyl, reporting as ordered, Commandant Lynx," the
Soultaker image said.
"Is your squad ready, Captain?" asked Lynx.
"Yes, mistress. Dsiban is aligning the transport beam to
handle the squad's size. Have you located the targets?"
Lynx turned to her right, and peered into the thick brush. Her
eyes narrowed and glowed red, and with her special sight, she
saw the unsuspecting victims waiting by the shrine entrance.
"Oh yes. I've found them, all right," she confirmed.
"Very well. Estimated time of arrival is five minutes. Please
stand by," finished Tyl, and his image faded.
Lynx nodded, and as she looked again with her special sight,
her crystal glowed briefly, and her Soultaker form now had
replaced her human form.
*Motoki and Reika, your soul energy are at your peak. And if
those Sailor brats interfere, I'm ready for them," she chuckled
evilly and licked her lips.
END Part 1--Chapter 4
(Note: Hmm, a cliffhanger! Stay tuned for Part 2! And thanks
for reading! HAL :-D )
"Sailor Moon" (you know which ones) belong to Naoko Takeuchi,
not me. All other characters are of my design, just so you
know. Text braced with "*…*" indicate character's thoughts.
Note: A couple of Japanese terms--"hajime" means "begin" and
"yame" means "stop." These are kendo fighting terms.
Thank you all who have read the fic so far, and thanks again to
Magdalena for her input in making this fic possible. Any
comments or questions, email me at [email protected]. So onward
to Chapter 4!
HAL :-D
Dragon of the Moon
Chapter 4
"This is like déjà vu all over again!"
---Yogi Berra
DING
The elevator doors open, and the tall man stepped out of the
elevator onto the stark hallway. He turned and saw the single
large wooden door at the end of the hall, and he walked towards
it. A guard sitting behind a podium by the door looked up at
the approaching man, frowned, and stood up, sizing up the
stranger.
The guard looked up and down at the tall man, trying to make
him out. He stood at 6 ½ feet, lean-looking, and had broad
shoulders. The stranger wore a dark business suit, but he also
wore black gloves, and sported black shades that hid his eyes.
His face looked careworn, and his graying hair was slickened
towards the back of his head. He also carried at long metal
briefcase, nearly four feet long; though it looked heavy, the
man seem to carry it with relative ease.
The man stopped at the guard's podium. The shorter guard sized
him up again, trying not to flinch, and said in a firm voice,
"This floor is restricted."
The man didn't speak.
The guard said curtly, "Didn't you hear what I said? This
floor is off-limits, so go back."
"I am here on official…business," the tall man finally said.
His voice was thick and heavily accented, but hardly showed any
emotion.
The guard's eyes narrowed, and looked at the stranger's
briefcase.
"Reports from headquarters," the tall man said, as if answering
the guard's next question.
The guard was unconvinced. He motioned the stranger to put
down the briefcase by the podium, and he pressed a button inside
the podium. A small panel opened between them, and a hand plate
appeared.
"Procedure," the guard said, "so take off your glove and
identify."
The tall man tilted his head at the guard, as if questioning
him, but the guard remained stoic. The tall man relented, put
down the briefcase by the podium, took off one glove from his
hand and placed his hand on the plate, and spoke softly:
"Pavel…Anton…Petrovich."
A series of beeps rang out, as the stranger's hand and
briefcase was scanned. The readings from the stranger's hand
cleared him, but the briefcase showed up blank.
"Open the briefcase, sir," said the guard.
The tall man looked at the guard, and said, "My clearance
checks out. I don't need to open it."
"Listen, pal," the guard started to say.
"Mizuki?" a voice called out from a speaker in the podium.
Mizuki the guard pressed the button, and said, "Yes, sir?"
"My guest does have clearance, so let him through at once," the
voice said.
"Yes, sir," Mizuki sighed, and pressed another button, and the
giant wooden door hissed open for Petrovich. Petrovich nodded,
and put his glove back on, reached down to pick up his suitcase,
and started to walk in.
Mizuki, put off by Petrovich, mumbled something under his
breath. Quick as a flash, Petrovich grabbed Mizuki by the
throat and shoved him hard against the wall. Mizuki, taken
completely by surprise, gawked aloud after being pounded to the
wall, and gagged when Petrovich raised him a foot up the wall by
the throat. Mizuki clutched at his neck, trying desperately to
breathe and trying to break the hold, but Petrovich only
squeezed more.
Petrovich's face remained in it's stone-like state, but tilted
his head to the guard, and said thickly, "Would you care to
repeat that…a little louder?"
Mizuki, his face turning blue, nodded quickly, and Petrovich
loosened his hold and bought him down to the floor, but did not
yet let go of Mizuki's throat.
The guard gasped, and looked wildly at Petrovich.
"Well?" Petrovich asked, and began to squeeze again.
"I said…" Mizuki said quickly, "I said…stupid…gaigin…
A small grin finally formed on Petrovich, and he said, "Next
time you have the urge to say epithets, you either hold your
tongue until you're out of earshot, or keep your comments to
yourself. People won't take it…kindly…like I did. Understood?"
Petrovich let go of Mizuki, who dropped to the ground coughing.
Petrovich picked up his briefcase again and entered through the
doorway, and the door hissed to a close.
Petrovich walked through the dimly-lit hallway, the
click-clack of his shoes echoing off the out-of-sight walls.
At the end of the hallway was a long mahogany table, sparsely
furnished, with one lamp providing the only light in the
immediate area.
But no one sat at the table, instead there was one tall figure
standing away from it, his attention turned to the tall glass
windows, gazing at the twinkling city lights outside.
Petrovich made his way to the table, and upon reaching it,
stopped, and waited patiently for acknowledgement. The figure
at the window, who also sported a dark business suit, didn't
turn around, but spoke, "A little rough on my guard, weren't
you?"
Petrovich was unfazed. "His attitude needed…adjustment," he
said.
"Why Anton, I didn't know you were so sensitive," said the
figure.
Petrovich's brow twitched, and he let out a quiet grunt.
The figure turned, and Petrovich could barely make out his
features in the poor light, but he noted the man's short
salt-and-pepper hair and medium build. The face looked somewhat
careworn, but the eyes, Petrovich saw, seemed to gleam.
Petrovich bowed his head, and said, "Pavel Anton Petrovich, at
your service, Master Asuka."
Asuka raised his hand, and said, "Please! We can dispense with
the formalities, Anton, my old friend. You must be tired. Have
a seat." And Asuka pressed a button on his desk, a trapdoor
opened on the other side of Petrovich, and a soft stool arose
from it.
Petrovich's brow twitched again, looked at the stool
skeptically, and back at Asuka. "I like to stand," he finally
said.
"Your paranoid senses are still fresh in you, I see," bemused
Asuka, who sat down on his own chair on his side of the table.
Petrovich managed the slightest of grins. "It keeps me…alert,"
he responded.
"One of the assassins' endearing qualities, of course,"
countered Asuka, who leaned back on his chair.
Petrovich cleared his throat. "I was sent from Home Base to
this station, though I am curious to reasons why, and they said
I will find out here."
"Simple," said Asuka, "I sent for you. I may have use of your
talents here."
"That doesn't explain why…"
"I will explain everything once my other guest arrives."
That caught Petrovich's attention. "Your…other guest?" he
asked.
"She should be arriving any moment now," said Asuka.
"'She?'"
Suddenly, the air in the room chilled, and sparks of lightning
flashed 10 feet away from the two men. The sparks coalesced
into a large oval, forming what looked like a portal, and a
large figure stepped through it.
Petrovich, for once surprised at the unexpected entrance,
flinched back a few steps, keeping his gaze firmly at the figure
who had stepped into Asuka's office right out of thin air.
Asuka, meanwhile, just grinned at the light show.
The portal then closed, leaving a tall creature behind. The
creature sported large leathery wings, had red skin, clawed
limbs, and wore a flowing golden robe. But Petrovich saw this
creature had a female-like appearance, with long flowing black
hair and a shapely, muscular figure, and her eyes glowed a dull
red, and her face had a large toothy grin, her fangs prominently
showing. A dull crystal hung around her broad neck.
A disturbing thought came to Petrovich's mind. *Oh no…not
her…not that bossy windbag again…anything but her…*
Asuka stood up and acknowledged the creature, "Ahh, Lynx, my
dear, welcome! I hope your trip was satisfactory?"
The creature named Lynx bowed, "It was, Master Asuka.
Commandant Lynx, reporting as ordered."
Asuka bowed back. "Splendid. And I'm sure you remember
Petrovich?" he asked, motioning to the other man.
Lynx looked at Petrovich, and she brightened. "Commander
Petrovich! You old nefarious Cossack! So they thawed you out
from your frozen dacha, yes?" she cackled.
*Ughh, it IS her,* Petrovich winced inwardly. He hid his
disgust, though, and managed a small grin and bowed to her.
"It has been…a long time, Mistress Lynx. Quite a new look for
you, too," he finally said.
"Ah, of course. You rather prefer my…ahem, human side?" she
chuckled.
Suddenly the crystal began to glow, and soon her body glowed as
well, and in a flash, she had transformed into a human woman.
She had shrunk from her tall seven-foot frame to a slender
5-foot, 7-inch form. Her long flowing hair had tuned from black
to red, she had green eyes, a shapely body, and wearing a sexy
evening dress.
Lynx tossed her head, and gave a deep sigh as she rubbed the
back of her head. "Ugh…I had forgotten how much of a drain it
was to transform into…into this," she sighed, and winked at
Petrovich.
Petrovich cleared his throat, and turning to Asuka, he asked,
"Master Asuka, now that we are all here…"
"Ah yes, so we are," Asuka chuckled, and he sat down, facing
his two guests. Lynx sat down on the empty stool, while
Petrovich remained standing. Asuka continued, "But first off,
do you have a report from the Dark Dimension, Lynx?"
Lynx nodded. "Our warriors are being prepared as we speak,
Master. Their hibernation period is almost near its end; we
just need sufficient energy to bring them into top shape. Then
our long-delayed assault on Earth will finally begin," and she
evilly grinned, "and then, the galaxy, then the universe
beyond!"
"Provided, of course, of no further…delays," interjected
Petrovich.
Now it was Lynx who frowned, and gazed hard at Petrovich. "Our
forces WILL be ready, I assure you…Commander," she said
haughtily, "our armies are like no other, and we will sweep any
force who dares faces us, and crush them with ease."
Petrovich, inwardly satisfying himself in needling Lynx,
smirked, "Lest we forget our little…Siberia episode…"
Lynx fumed. "Grrr…THAT was nothing but...but a fluke!" she
spat, "but this time, Commander Petrovich, we WILL win!"
"Enough!" interrupted Asuka, who seemed to enjoy the verbal
match before him. "I brought you both here for a purpose," he
said, and Lynx and Petrovich gave each other one last hard look
and looked at Asuka, who pressed another button on his desk.
A projection screen was lowered adjacent to them, and a series
of images slowly flashed on it: action shots of five
sailor-suited girls and one tuxedoed man.
Asuka gestured to his guests, "I'm sure you have heard of the
Sailor Senshi and their mysterious accomplice, Tuxedo Kamen?"
Petrovich's brow went up again, peering at the photos as if
picking out details, and nodded. Lynx, however, tossed her head
and snorted.
"Bah! Those silly girls? In those skimpy, tacky outfits they
wear? Hah! Plenty of flash but very little substance, I say.
Though that Tux Boy looks rather handsome," and she coyly
grinned.
Asuka chuckled, but Petrovich said nothing, keeping his eyes on
the flashing photographs, and he finally said, "Does your hidden
paparazzi ever clean his lens?"
*Ah…he spotted them, good work, Anton,* thought Asuka, and Lynx
said, "What are you talking about, Petrovich?"
"These shots were taken from afar…tough, good shots with zoom
lens, but their faces…something's wrong with them," he said, and
moved closer to the screen, his eyes narrowing behind his
shades. Indeed, the faces of the senshi and Tuxedo Kamen, upon
closer inspection by Petrovich…
"…They are blurred, and a sheen upon them…" Petrovich pointed
out.
"Your eyes are as sharp as ever, Anton," marveled Asuka, "yes,
their faces cannot be seen clearly."
"Hahaha! They must have broken the lens!" Lynx laughed.
Asuka shook his head. "They did not, my dear Lynx. That fuzzy
sheen on their faces appear on every scant photograph we ever
took of them. Even a couple of pictures with civilians nearby,
whose faces were quite clear, theirs were not. Our scanning
equipment's analysis turned up negligible results."
Petrovich cocked his head, and said, "A glamour?"
Lynx sweatdropped. "A what?" she asked.
"Yes, that's what I think so too," Asuka nodded.
Petrovich turned back and addressed Lynx, "A glamour, Commander
Lynx, is a sort of veil…a magical veil…a cloak, if you will,
like your transformed human state. The Senshi and this Tuxedo
Kamen fellow must have some magical spell over themselves. To
be able to blur a camera lens…rather clever idea to conceal
their identities, and they don't fight in front of a crowd."
Lynx bore a confused look on her face, and said, "I don't
understand."
"The Sailor Senshi's battles has few witnesses, Lynx,"
continued Asuka, "and even a monster's victims were unconscious
or half-conscious to pick out details. And every monster that
went up against them, stood no chance against them."
"Feh…preposterous," mumbled Lynx, but she looked at Asuka, back
to Petrovich, and finally back to Asuka. "It seems you both
know plenty of the enemy I don't know about," she muttered.
Asuka chuckled, "Actually, Anton knows as much as the
intelligence we gathered on the senshi, which is rather
limited."
"I always thought it a sound idea to know your enemy before
facing them," said Petrovich, who smirked at Lynx, who shot back
a spiteful glare. "But they are the reason we are here,
Master?" he finished.
"Indeed," nodded Asuka, "We have kept ourselves in the shadows
long enough. And after some certain events as of late, I
believe the time has come to deal with them."
"And what has happened, master, that brought them to your
attention?" asked Lynx.
*Time for my bombshells,* thought Asuka, and said, "I'm sure
you recall of Captain Nob, Mistress Lynx?"
At the mention of the name, she perked up, and said, "'Captain'
Nob? Hah! Since when he became captain? Yes, I do recall
'Lieutenant' Nob; he was an assistant of mine in the Europe
Sector. Follows orders well, but he's kind of a
stick-in-the-mud, in my opinion. Why? Did he get promoted
again for kissing plenty of rear ends?"
"Actually, he's dead, Lynx," said Asuka solemnly.
Lynx's eyes widened in shock. "WHAT? But…how?" she breathed.
Asuka turned to Petrovich, and said, "You remember Nagash?"
Petrovich started at the name, and nodded slowly. "He
was…Kerensky, my old associate," he said quietly.
Asuka nodded, "That was his human name, yes. He's gone too."
Petrovich shook his head, but remained quiet. Lynx, however,
was flabbergasted.
"Nagash…from the First Winged Order, is dead too? But
that's…that's impossible…" she gasped.
"I find it hard to believe myself, mistress," said Petrovich,
"Kerensky…that is, Nagash, was a good fighter…not as good as me,
but he had potential…someone beat him?"
"Nob may have been a fool, but he cannot have been killed so
easily!" cried Lynx, and she stopped, looked the projection
screen again, and back at Asuka. "You mean to say it was THEM?
THEY killed Nob and Nagash??" she grated furiously.
Asuka said nothing, but closed his eyes and folded his hands.
Lynx was aghast, and pounded her fists on the mahogany table.
"Master Asuka! Answer me! Did the Senshi brats and that Tux
punk kill them?" she spat angrily.
"Commandant Lynx!" called out Petrovich, "Keep your place!
There is more to this, isn't it, master?"
Asuka nodded, and softly said, "As you both know, we have need
of soul energy to restore our Soultaker army. Our research has
found that human couples exude high levels of energy when in
love; their souls having reached a peak when two humans meet and
their energies are compatible and multiplied…a meeting of 'soul
mates,' as they like to describe it."
Lynx shook her head, "Master, we know all about this, what does
it have to do with our fallen comrades?" she exasperated.
"As I was getting ready to say, Commandant," Asuka said
pointedly to Lynx, who quieted down, "Captains Nob and Nagash
were sent on similar missions: to recon and obtain soul energy
from potential couples. Their power crystals were attuned with
our home power crystal here at headquarters, so their
telemetry--energy readings, collected energy, and the like--were
tracked.
"A few days ago, Nagash and Tor, a Third Level grunt, were in
the Fujiyoshida Park sector, in the process of recovering a
couple's soul energy. But according to the telemetry, they
became separated, and, to our complete surprise, their energy
signatures were gone."
"Gone?" said Lynx.
"Completely," continued Asuka, "their own energy taglines
became flat. So I, fearing the worst, dispatched Nob to
investigate. Upon his arrival, he found no trace of Nagash nor
Tor, except for one thing…a piece of Nagash's sword. It was
cloven in two."
"Hmmm," Petrovich grunted.
"So what happened to Nob, Master?" asked Lynx.
"He was itching to find out who killed Nagash, so I sent him
out last night, but this time, I made it a 4-man team: Anuk and
Anak, two Second Order grunts, Sniper, a top-notch archer, and
Nob himself. According to their telemetry, they have caught a
couple, but something went wrong…"
"It was them, wasn't it?" Lynx growled, "Those no-good senshi…"
Asuka raised his hand. "Wait, Lynx. As I was saying, they had
their victims, but something was happening to them. First,
Sniper flat-lined, then Anuk and Anak. Nob's readings became
erratic and unstable, as if he went through serious trauma.
Then bam! His readings also went kaput."
"Yes, and it was all because of those Sailor brats! Ooohh, I
will make mincemeat out of their hides…" hissed Lynx.
But Petrovich saw Asuka's worried face, and said, "You don't
think it was them, don't you, Master?"
Lynx blinked, and looked incredulously at Asuka, and back to
Petrovich. "Well, who else but the Sailor Senshi, Commander?"
she said coldly.
"Mistress Lynx, please calm yourself. Something does bother me
of the whole mess," he said.
"Oh? And what would that be, Commander Petrovich?" Lynx
huffed.
"Particularly Nagash's demise. Something's not right," he
said, "Master? You said Tor and Nagash…were separated?"
Asuka nodded, and thought, *Anton's curiosity is piqued. He
wants to know who beat his former partner.*
"So Tor and Nagash faced their own fates on their own. Tor, I
would think, would have taken on the Sailor Senshi, since the
Third Order grunts are…as you can say…not too bright, and he
lost," continued Petrovich, "but Nagash was smarter, and know
when to retreat when the odds were against him. Someone got to
him…alone…"
Petrovich shook his head, and thought aloud, "Nagash chooses
his own battles; he's a singular fighter."
"So one of the senshi or Tux boy fought him…and beat him?" Lynx
asked.
Petrovich shook his head again. "It couldn't have been a
senshi. They fight as a team, which is their strength. That's
how Tor lost. Tuxedo Kamen appears as a lone card, but he
doesn't strike me as a close-in fighter…" and Petrovich drifted
off.
His brow furrowed, and looked back at Asuka, and said, "A new
enemy."
"Yes," Asuka agreed.
"A swordfighter?"
"Nob's report of the area said no trace of explosive discharge
or shell: no bullet, no gun. Given Nagash's true size and
training, I doubt a knife would stop him. So yes, I would think
a swordfighter," Asuka intoned.
"And you think this…swordfighter, also killed Nob and his
troop? Bah! That's crazy! A lone swordfighter taking on
Soultakers? I find that very hard to believe, Commander,"
grumbled Lynx, but Petrovich took a deep breath, a disturbing
thought entering his mind.
*But I can, Lynx…* thought Petrovich, *I can certainly
believe…one can, and even did, take on the Soultakers…many years
ago…*
Petrovich looked at Asuka again, and said, "So my mission is to
locate and eliminate Nagash's and Nob's killer?"
"No. Not just yours, Anton. Lynx will also be on hand in this
investigation. I want to know who our new player is," said
Asuka.
Lynx's eyes widened, and snorted, "Master Asuka, with all due
respect, it looks like a waste of my resources to search for one
adversary…"
"This 'adversary,'" Asuka curtly interjected, "was capable of
taking on two First Winged Order captains, two of your own kin.
The assumption that the Sailor Senshi and this adversary are
working in league must be scrutinized."
Asuka then settled back on his chair, closed his eyes, and
slightly grinned. "Besides, I think it's time we test the
senshi on what they are made of. What do you say, Commandant
Lynx?" he said slyly.
Lynx, slightly taken aback, straightened with a wide smile.
"The senshi are no match for us, master. Even their mysterious
ally, they have no hope against us. We will win!" she cackled.
Asuka nodded, and said, "Very well, Lynx. I admire your
enthusiasm, but keep that brashness in check for now I want
intelligence before our assault can begin. I'll leave that
assignment to you."
"You wish is my command, Master," Lynx said finally as she
bowed. She turned around, and soon the crackling lights of the
portal appeared again. She stepped through it, and she was
gone.
Asuka turned to Petrovich, who seemed lost in thought, and
asked, "Presumptuous, isn't she?"
"She always was," Petrovich said, "but, Master, you said this
was Lynx's and my assignment. What's my part of my mission?"
"You will play observer, Anton," Asuka said, "Lynx would no
doubt face the senshi, but you will be on the lookout for our
new adversary. I have a feeling your skills…or even perhaps
mine…will be tested."
"This adversary has you worried?"
"Concerned, Anton…merely concerned. But as humans are wont to
say: 'Better safe than sorry.'"
Petrovich nodded, bowed, picked up his long briefcase, and
turned towards the doorway. The click-clack of his shoes
bounced off the hidden walls of the long hallway. But when
Petrovich reached the doorway, Asuka called out, "Commander
Petrovich!"
Asuka's voice sounded deeper and louder from where Petrovich
stood, and he turned to face his master.
"Master?"
Asuka's eyes twinkled, and said aloud, "Keep your blade sharp!"
Petrovich managed a small grin upon hearing that, and patted
his briefcase. "It always is, my master," he said.
Petrovich bowed again, and left through the door. Asuka turned
and faced the dawning sky before him, and he too, grinned.
A cool breeze blew through the quiet streets of the Juuban
neighborhood, as dawn crept quietly over the rest of Tokyo. The
eastern sun began to peek over the mountains, bathing the city
with a warm glow.
Over at the large mansion atop Minato-ku, two figures clad in
kendo uniforms faced each other silently. The two, one in white
and the other in black, held their bamboo swords at the ready,
waiting for the other to make the first move. Their faces are
completely hidden behind their facemasks, showing no outward
sign or expression to tip off the other. They stood there for
what seemed for minutes on end, the only noises being heard were
from birds flying overhead, and the faraway hum of Tokyo's
traffic.
They waited…and waited…until suddenly…
"HAJIME!!" the white-clad fighter yelled.
At that, the white fighter sprung forward and charged at the
black-clad fighter, bringing his sword right at his opponent's
head, but the other fighter managed to bring his sword over his
head to block the attacker. The ice finally broken, the other
fighter sprung to his feet and started delivering a series of
thrusts and counterthrusts, and his opponent answered in kind.
The loud CLACK CLACK of the wooden kendo swords resonated
through the yard.
For the next ten minutes, both fighters clashed furiously,
neither one giving any quarter to the other. Several times they
locked their swords and brought themselves close, mask to mask,
grunting at each other. Until at last, when they locked swords
again, the white fighter whispered:
"Venus."
"What?" the black fighter flinched, and slightly dropped his
hands.
"Gotcha," the other said.
The white fighter pushed his hands upward, and the black
fighter was thrown off balance. The white fighter unleashed a
furious barrage of thrusts from his kendo sword, bearing down at
his opponent. The black fighter gamely blocked each thrust, but
then one managed to hit his right shoulder.
"OW!" the black fighter grunted.
"YAME!" the white fighter declared.
They both stopped, retreated from each other a few steps, and
respectfully bowed at each other.
The beaten fighter took off his mask. "That…was a
dirty…trick…Arch," Rolie said breathlessly.
"Oh?" Archie huffed as he took off his own mask, "and you
think…the Soultakers…won't resort to…dirty tricks?"
Rolie mumbled incoherently.
"And are you still favoring that shoulder?" Archie added.
Rolie nodded, and said, "The Soultaker's arrow was barbed. It
took me longer to take it out."
"Ah, I see. That and your guilty conscience left yourself open
to my attacks."
"Guilty conscience?"
"You were just thinking about Sailor Venus, weren't you?"
"What? No way," Rolie scoffed, "it's…it's just the barb.
Besides, you were gunning for my shoulder anyways."
"Humph. A likely story," Archie surmised, "you're better than
that, and you know it."
"Aw, lay off, Arch. You're starting to sound like an old,
crotchety sensei."
"I AM an old, crotchety sensei," he shot back, "and I'm gonna
get you into shape, even if it kills you…or me."
Rolie sighed deeply and sat on the ground. Archie strode up to
him and sat down beside Rolie, and said, "You ARE feeling
guilty, aren't you?"
After a long pause, Rolie finally nodded, and said, "I guess I
am. But damn it, Arch, I have good reason, don't I? I'm…having
mixed feelings. I have seen the Sailor Senshi fight that
Soultaker in Fujiyoshida Park, and they were impressive. Then I
see Sailor Venus very foolhardily take on four of them, but she
did save that couple, or else they would have been dead. So I
admire her for that. But still…" and Rolie shook his head.
"Rolie?" Archie replied, "the Sailor Senshi have been around
for a couple of years, and they have taken on monsters before."
"Yeah, but not these kinds of monsters," Rolie replied.
Archie sighed, and patted Rolie's shoulder. "You haven't met
them all, Rolie. If you were to see them in sustained, real
action, maybe that will change your mind."
Rolie looked at Archie. "And YOU have seen them? You seem
determined to sell their case to me, Arch," he said, "you know
something I don't know, hmmm?"
*Whoops! Heh heh, forgot how intuitive he is,* thought Archie,
and chuckled, "Hah! What's an old fogey like me going to know
about the Sailor Senshi anyhow?"
Rolie raised an eyebrow at that.
Archie grinned back at him, and said, "Let's just say I have a
little faith in them. You should too."
Rolie thought it over, but shook his head. "I'm not ready to,"
he replied, "and after all that I went through before, I don't
think I can."
*Drat, he's as stubborn as a mule,* Archie thought. He sighed,
and finally said, "So, shall we resume?"
"No, I had enough for today."
"Rolie-boy…"
"I mean it, Arch. Just…drop it, okay?" said Rolie curtly, and
stood up, and walked off a few feet.
"Okay, Rolie, if you say so," said Archie resignedly, "so what
do you have in mind for today?"
Rolie stood quietly, staring at the far walls of the yard, and
then said, "I should get to know more around here."
"Not a bad idea," said Archie, "why not drop by Minako Aino's
house and ask her for a tour of the neighborhood, hmmm?"
Rolie coughed at the mention of Mina's name. "Umm, I think
I'll…umm, oh, head over to the Crown Game Center, and maybe ask
Motoki for that tour, yeah…heh heh," Rolie blushed.
Archie grinned mischievously. "Aww, go on now. What's the
matter? I thought you liked the prettier ones," and he swiftly
whacked Rolie's rear end with his kendo sword.
"Hey!" Rolie cried, "Minachan is pretty…umm, I mean…"
"Aha! You sly dog!" chuckled Archie, whacked Rolie again, and
was soon chasing him around the yard. "Didn't you OWE her
something? Well, didn't you??"
"Ow! Hey, watch it! Well, umm, yeah, I do…umm, oh boy…" Rolie
mumbled.
"So? What are you waiting for? A gold-lettered invitation?"
Archie cracked, and whacked Rolie again.
"Ow!! All right! All right!" Rolie laughed, and both men
headed into the house.
Later that morning, at the Crown Game Center, Motoki was in his
back office filling orders, when Unazuki knocked on the door.
"Onii-san?" she asked.
"Yes, imouto-chan?"
"There's a gentleman here to see you. He asks if you needed
more help in making new smoothies?"
"Huh? Oh! It's Rolie-san. Tell him I'll be right out," he
chuckled.
After a few minutes, Motoki put his papers away, and just
before he left his office, he took a small velvet box from his
coat and put it in his pants pocket, and met Rolie at the
counter.
"Rolie-san!" said Motoki.
"Motoki-san! How are you?" replied Rolie.
"I'm great! And you know what? You are a genius!"
"Huh? I am?"
"The smoothies! They're a hit! After you left, I made a few
more for my customers, and they liked it so much, they'll be
telling their friends too! I'm thinking after a few days of
word-of-mouth advertising, people will flock to the Center!"
"Whoa! Easy there, Motoki-san," laughed Rolie, "smoothies have
been around for a while already. All I did was add…"
"Shh!! Shh!!" Motoki hissed, and clamped his hand over Rolie's
mouth, and then removed it. "Sorry about that, but extra touch
you did? YOU know that, and I know that, but THEY don't," and
he jerked his thumb at the customers behind him.
Rolie laughed louder. "Hahaha! You are the crafty one, aren't
you? What are you going to do? Corner the strawberry smoothie
market with your 'discovery?'"
Motoki blinked; he hadn't thought of Rolie's contribution, and
sheepishly said, "Well, um, if you like, we can split the
profits, and…"
"Relax, Motoki-san. You can have all the credit. I don't
mind."
"But…"
"I mean it. Make it your unique specialty, something only
found at the Crown Game Center, and reap in your little
'profits.'"
"You're willing to let me do that, all on my own?" asked Motoki
with wonder.
"Think of it as…a charitable contribution, in honor of your
father. You seem to have a bit of his business savvy in you,
Motoki."
Motoki smiled, and bowed. "I am grateful, Rolie-san. If there
is anything I can help you with, just name it."
"Well, there is something you might be able to help me at,"
Rolie said.
"Yes?"
"I'm trying to find Minako Aino."
"Minachan?"
"Yes. You see, I had to leave yesterday to attend some
business at my home, and…umm, I think I left Mina in a lurch
with her ravenous friends," Rolie sweatdropped.
"Ohhh, I see," chuckled Motoki.
"So since Mina and I are new neighbors now, I went to her home
first looking for her, to apologize. But it looked like no one
was home when I rung the bell, so I came here to ask you where I
might find her…"
"Oh, is that it? Well, if she or her folks aren't at home,
then they either gone out together, or Mina could be spending
time with her friends. And knowing that group, it's a good bet
they will be at Hikawa Shrine, Rei Hino's place. It's a very
relaxing place to be, especially today on Sunday."
"Really?" replied Rolie, "so you can show me how to get there?"
"Better yet, I'll take you there myself."
"Oh…but, the store, Motoki?"
"Don't worry, Rolie-san. It's close to noon now, my lunch
break is coming up, and I close up shop for a couple of hours.
So I have plenty of time. Besides, I have another plan in
store, and our visit to the shrine will work perfectly."
"Oh? How so?" asked Rolie.
"You said it first, Rolie. I'm the 'crafty' one, so it will be
my surprise for all involved. So if you would excuse me, I'll
close the Center up so we can go, all right?" said Motoki.
"Well, all right, if you say so," said Motoki, but wondered
what Motoki had in mind.
*Hmm, he looks very excited for just taking off to a shrine.
Wonder what he's up to?* he thought as he waited.
*Must you go?*
The figure she was addressing to didn't turn.
*You CAN'T leave…it's not fair…*
The figure remained silent.
*…Your friends…your family…your…*
*Enough!* the figure intoned, *it's my duty…my 'destiny'…*
A sob. A tear ran down her cheek.
He finally turns, and she could see his eyes.
*I will come back…I will see you again…* he says.
The pendant around his neck glowed.
His eyes glowed.
Suddenly, a deep darkness, cries of pain, agony, and death
surround her…getting louder…louder…LOUDER…
*NOOOOOOOOO!!!!*
"Nooooo!!" Mina cried out.
"Mina! Mina! Wake up please!" cried another voice.
Mina jerked herself awake, breathing hard, and gasped,
"Artemis? No, wait…Luna?"
Mina rubbed her eyes and saw it was indeed Luna at the foot of
her futon. Luna had a worried look on her face.
"Minachan? Are you all right?" the black cat asked.
"Oh…oh, Luna, it was dreadful, I just had a frightening…umm…"
"Nightmare?"
"Yes! Umm, no…I don't know,"
"It must have been a nightmare, dear. You were thrashing
around for a good while." Luna explained.
"I was?" asked Mina, and she looked around herself, she saw
that her sheets and bedding was tossed about. "Whoa, but it
seemed to real, Luna," Mina said.
"Can you remember what you saw?" Luan asked.
"Well, let's see," Mina mumbled, and tried to think. "I
dreamed I was in a castle, and…umm, I saw somebody, a
guy…a…handsome guy, I think," she started.
*Oh, brother,* Luna sweatdropped.
"But, he was in some sort of dark uniform, or armor, like a
knight," Mina continued.
Luna's ears pricked up. *Wait a minute. Haven't I heard of
this before?* she thought.
"What else, Mina?" Luna pressed.
"He…oh, darn it! I can't remember anymore," Mina pouted.
"It's all right, Mina," Luna sighed, "perhaps the next time
you'll remember more."
"You really think so, Luna? Because…ummm…" she drifted off,
and looked around the room. Something wasn't right.
"Luna? This isn't my room. This isn't my house." said Mina.
"Well, of course it isn't, my dear. Don't you remember?
You're here at the shrine. Rei put you up for the night,"
explained Luna.
Mina looked around at her surroundings, and indeed the shrine's
walls marked the room's perimeter. It was sparsely furnished,
but clean. Mina looked at Luna again.
"I must have really been bush-leagued, weren't I, Luna?"
"Ahem, 'bushed' you mean? Yes, you were. You poor girl. You
have gone through a lot this past day and a half, haven't you?"
said Luna.
Mina cocked her head, and asked, "Day and a half? What time is
it now, Luna?"
"It's almost noon. You have been asleep since 7:30 last
night…almost 17 hours, Mina."
Mina's eyes widened. "17 HOURS?? Oh my gosh! My parents…"
"Don't worry, Mina. Rei's grandfather called them last night,
telling them you were here and spending the night. He even told
them he was going to put you to do some chores around the
shrine," Luna giggled.
Mina looked at Luna incredulously, and squeaked, "He…he didn't
mean that, didn't he?
"Actually, it was Rei's suggestion, in the hopes of convincing
your parents. And they agreed."
Mina's heart sank. "This has NOT been my week." she mumbled.
Luna smiled in sympathy, and said, "Well, before doing your
'chores,' why don't you freshen up? We're having a meeting
shortly."
Mina sighed and nodded, and started to the bathroom door, when
something occurred to her.
"Luna?" Mina asked, "where's Artemis?"
Luna frowned, and harrumphed, "You're 'guardian cat' seems to
have another agenda, I think. He has been gone since late last
night, handing over his duty to watch over you."
"Did he say where he was going?"
"He said Central Control, but he's way overdue, and I need to
talk to him too. He'd better be back for the meeting," and at
that, Luna stepped out of the room.
*Central Control?* thought Mina, *and he's been gone all
night…was it about the battle? The monsters? The…Dragon
Knight?*
She placed her hand on her forehead, and sighed, "Sheesh, what
else can happen know?"
"HAHAHAHA! Ah Hahaha!" shrieked Usagi.
Rei, Ami, and Makoto sweatdropped as Usagi giggled and laughed
at the book she was reading from.
"How long has she been at that manga, Rei?" grumbled Makoto.
"That's the third back issue she has read in the past hour,"
Rei sighed, "I had thought reading them would keep her busy, but
I had forgotten those were her favorites, and she never tires
from reading them over and over and over…"
"Hahaha! Guys, this is soooo funny! Hahaha!" Usagi gasped.
The others let out a collective groan.
Ami cleared her throat, and asked, "How long do we have to
wait, Rei? It's past noon already."
"Once Luna and Mina get here, we can start," said Rei.
"What's the rush, Ami? It's Sunday, so there's no school
today," said Makoto.
"Well, I had finished two chapters on my science books, and I
would like to get started on my foreign language assignments,"
replied Ami.
Rei and Makoto face faulted; Usagi kept on laughing.
"Same ol' Ami," Makoto murmured.
"Same ol' Usagi, too; she didn't even flinch," grumbled Rei.
Then there was a knock on the door, and Rei responded, "Yes?
Who is it?"
"It's me, Rei-san," said a male voice.
"Oh…Yuuichiro, umm…come in," said Rei.
The door slid open, and Yuuichiro Kumada, dressed in his
priest-in-training robes, entered carrying two trays.
"I brought some tea and cupcakes, since it's lunchtime," said
Yuuichiro.
"Why, that's very thoughtful, Yuuichiro-san," said Ami.
"Yes," said Rei softly, "Thank you very much."
"Did someone say cupcakes?" exclaimed Usagi, and she jumped
from her seat cushion and grabbed a handful of cupcakes.
"Usagi no baka!" yelled Rei, "These cakes are for all of us!"
"But I'm hungry!" Usagi yelled back.
Rei fumed, and snatched a couple of cupcakes back from Usagi.
"We can eat them all…ONE AT A TIME! Not like a pig-tailed
vacuum cleaner!" she snapped.
Tears appeared in Usagi's eyes, and she whimpered, "Rei? Why
are you so mean to meeeeee?? WAAAAHHHH!!!"
Everyone sweatdropped and groaned.
"Rei-san? You can give her those cakes," another voice said
from outside the doorway.
Everyone but Yuuichiro blinked, and Mamoru appeared in the
doorway, holding another tray, and he said, "Yuuichiro-san made
another batch just in case."
"Mamochan!" Usagi cried, and leaped up to her boyfriend,
hugging him.
"Hiya, Usako," said Mamoru softly.
Ami and Makoto giggled, Rei sighed and shook her head.
Yuuichiro chuckled, cleared his throat, and asked, "Would you
like anything else, Rei-san?"
Rei was caught aback, and responded, "Oh…umm, no, thanks,
Yuuichiro-san…err, you ought to get to those chores Grandpa
wants you to do."
Yuuichiro blinked, as if he was expecting another response, and
finally bowed, "Yeah, I better…go, and do the chores…sure…if you
would excuse me…"
"Thank you, Yuuichiro-san," Rei acknowledged, and Yuuichiro
stepped through the doorway, closing the door behind him. Rei
gave out a silent sigh.
Ami and Makoto exchanged glances, as did Usagi and Mamoru.
They all had the same question in mind, but none dared say it
aloud. Rei took her tray and set it down on the table, setting
herself down as well on her cushion, her eyes closed.
"I know what you're thinking," she said softly, "and we all
know the answer to that."
"But, Rei…" Usagi began.
"No, Usagi," Rei interrupted, "you know as well as I do,
as do Makochan, Ami-chan, and Minachan, as well as Mamoru-san,
that our identities must remain hidden. Even if it means…lying,
deceiving our other friends…" and she choked back a cough.
Usagi let go of Mamoru, made her way to Rei, sat down beside
her, and clutched her friend's hand. Rei opened her eyes and
looked at Usagi, who was smiling back at her.
"You've gotten to like Yuuichiro a lot, haven't you?" Usagi
asked.
Rei's eyes widened and gasped. She braced herself for the
incoming taunting, but as she looked at Usagi's face, she saw
she still smiled.
*She…she's not going…to tease me?* Rei thought, and she
blushed.
"Rei?" Usagi began, "You know, I sometimes feel that this is my
fault…that to fulfill your duties as my Senshi, you had to give
up your everyday lives. You had to lie to your family and
friends because you don't want them involved or hurt, but you
still feel you ARE hurting them just the same. And I feel bad
about that."
"Usagi," Rei murmured.
"But I know how it feels," Usagi continued, "How many times I
hide the truth from Naru-chan, from Shingo, from my own mom and
dad? It pains me for doing it, for I too don't want them
involved. But I have hope, Rei…I have hope that one day, when
everything is just right, I can finally tell them the truth, and
I hope they will still love me just the same."
"She's right, you know," a new voice said.
All heads turned to the doorway, and they saw Mina wearing a
miko robe and looking at them, in particular at Usagi and Rei.
"Minachan!" exclaimed Makoto.
"Mina, are you all right now?" asked Ami.
"Yes, I am, thank you," she told them, and she looked back at
Rei and Usagi, and continued, "Rei-chan? I hope you don't mind I
borrow on your robes?"
"Not at all," Rei said as she shook her head.
Mina stepped forward and sat before Usagi and Rei, and she too
clutched Rei's hand with Usagi.
"As I had said," she continued, "Usagi's right, Rei. We must
keep our hopes up that we can tell the truth to our loved
ones…whether they be old acquaintances, or new boyfriends," and
she winked at Rei at that last part, and Rei blushed again.
Usagi hugged Rei's shoulders and said, "We're all in this
together, Rei. And together, we can get through it all."
Rei looked at Mina, who nodded, and to Ami and Makoto, who
nodded as well. Even Mamoru, amazed at Usagi's turn of wisdom,
nodded in agreement.
Rei's eyes welled up, and she playfully tugged at one of
Usagi's pigtails.
"Silly meatball-head," she murmured gratefully.
"Hey, watch it there, Pyro," Usagi chortled.
They glanced at each other, and broke out into laughter, as did
the others.
"AHEM!" a new voice called out.
Everyone turned to the sound, and Luna appeared at the
windowsill.
"Now that the pleasantries are done and Mina is fully
recovered, let's get this meeting started," the black cat said.
Everyone sat down, but Mina piped up, "Luna? Where's Artemis?"
Luna frowned, and deeply sighed, "That cat still hasn't shown
up? Oooh, I'll box his ears in."
"Luna?" asked Mamoru, "If I'm not mistaken, Artemis is not one
to miss meetings. He did ask me last night for me to come here,
so there must be a reason for his tardiness."
"Mamoru-san's right, Luna," concurred Mina, "So can we give him
a few minutes more?"
"Well…" Luna began to say.
"Yay!!" exclaimed Usagi, "in the meantime we can dig into these
cakes!"
Everyone face faulted.
"Look like we have our old Usagi back," joked Makoto, as Usagi
munched on a cupcake.
"Wow…this is really a beautiful place," remarked Rolie.
Rolie was gazing at the landscapes and orderly scenery of the
Hikawa Shrine. A few people were milling about, relaxing under
shading trees, or eating from their bento boxes.
As Rolie looked about around him, Motoki fidgeted, constantly
reaching into his pants pocket. His sister Unazuki noticed
this, and said, "Motoki-onii? Is there something wrong?"
"What?" Motoki jumped, but quickly relaxed, "Oh, no…nothing,
imouto, nothing at all…I'll…be right back," and he left Rolie
and Unazuki alone.
Rolie noticed this, and asked Unazuki, "What's wrong with
Motoki? It looked like he had ants in his pants or something
with all that fidgeting."
"Heh, no, Rolie-san," giggled Unazuki, "he fidgets when
something's going to happen, and I have a sneaking suspicion…"
and she drifted off, watching Motoki closely.
Motoki had stepped a few yards away from Rolie and Unazuki
until he yelled out, "Reika!"
"Motoki-chan!" a new voice responded.
Bounding up the steps of the shrine, a young, red-haired woman
made her way towards a waiting Motoki, who laughed, hugged and
whirled her by the waist around him.
"Ha! I thought it was Reika-chan," said Unazuki smugly.
"Reika?" asked Rolie.
"Motoki's sweetheart," she explained.
"Ohhh, of course," laughed Rolie.
It wasn't long that Motoki and Reika walked back to a waiting
Rolie and Unazuki, and Motoki flushed, "Rolie-san? This is my
girlfriend, Reika."
"Indeed? From the way you two spun around like a top, you
could have fooled me," said Rolie jokingly, and Motoki blushed
and Reika giggled. "A pleasure meeting you, Reika-san," Rolie
added as he bowed.
"It's very nice meeting you, Rolie-san," answered Reika, and
hello to you too, Unazuki-chan. Maybe you can tell me why your
brother has brought us all here to this place?" Unazuki shook
her head and glanced at Motoki, who was grinning from ear to
ear.
All in good time, my dear," said Motoki," so if you all follow
me and the mystery will soon be solved."
Soon, the four visitors reached the main shrine hall, where
they found Yuuichiro sweeping the steps.
"Yuuichiro-san!" called out Motoki.
Yuuichiro looked up, saw his friend and his companions, and
smiled. "Motoki-san! What brings you here?" he asked as he
approached them.
Both men shook hands, and Motoki gestured, "You know my girl
Reika, and my sister Unazuki. This is another friend of mine:
Rolie Drake."
"Yuuichiro Kumada, at your service, Mr. Drake-san," said
Yuuichiro as he bowed.
"Please, call me Rolie," Rolie bowed back and stuck out his
hand.
As Yuuichiro grasped Rolie's hand, time seeming stopped for
them. For the briefest second that seemed an eternity, the air
around them seem to turn into a deep reddish hue, and as they
looked into each other's eyes, both could swear something was
between them. Something hot, glowing, a burning sensation…
…and it was gone, as quickly as it appeared.
*Whoa! What in the world…?* thought Yuuichiro.
*What…was…that?* thought Rolie.
Both let go of each other's hand quickly.
"Yow! Whoa, umm…static electricity," chuckled Rolie nervously.
"Heh...yes, it must have been," agreed Yuuichiro, "sorry about
that, Rolie-san."
"Not a problem, Yuuichiro-san."
"Yuuichiro?" asked Motoki, "are Rei-chan and the others here?"
"Huh? Oh yes, they are. Rei, Usagi, Ami, Makoto, Minako, and
even Mamoru are here. Some sort of meeting they're having, I
guess," he said a bit somberly.
Rolie perked up at hearing Mina's name, "Mina's here too?"
"Yes, she is," said Yuuichiro, and asked Motoki, "you wanted to
see Rei?"
"Actually," said Motoki, after spotting Rei's grandfather
approaching them from a distance, "can you ask all of them to
come out here? I have something to say to all present."
Everyone looked at Motoki with questioning eyes, but he said no
more.
"All right, Motoki. I'll be right back," said Yuuichiro, and
he disappeared into the shrine.
"Just what are you up to, Motoki?" asked Reika.
"You will see, Reika-chan," said Motoki as he squeezed
something in his pocket.
Rolie and Yuuichiro weren't the only ones to feel that
mysterious flash. In Rei's meeting room, everyone were shaking
their heads in bewilderment, wondering what had just happened.
"Did…did you feel that?" asked Ami hesitantly.
"Yeah, it was like a static bolt of some kind," said Makoto.
"But…what could have caused it?" queried Usagi.
"And why did we ALL feel it?" added Mamoru.
Mina just shook her head, but Luna's hackles were up; she even
felt it, but she was watching Rei closely, and noticed she was
trembling.
"Rei? Is something wrong?" asked Luna.
"I…I don't know, Luna," Rei responded shakily, "but, this was
something that was bothering me…"
"You mean you felt this jolt before?" asked Mina.
"I'm thinking we ALL have felt it before," volunteered Mamoru,
"back at the Crown Game Center."
"Yes! I felt…something course through me, Mamochan," exclaimed
Usagi.
"But that doesn't make sense," said Ami, "how could we all feel
a static jolt if we didn't make a circuit in the first place?"
The girls looked quizzically at Ami, as she went on, "To get a
static shock from somebody, that person has to pass it on to
another person physically, merely by touch."
"And to have us all feel the jolt," added Mamoru, "we all have
to be touching each other at the same time: to complete the
circuit."
"Exactly, Mamoru," said Ami.
"But we WEREN'T touching each other back at Crown Game, or even
just now, so how was this possible?" asked Makoto.
"There is more to this static shot, I think," said Luna, and
she turned to Rei and asked, "You think you have an idea what
caused it, Rei?"
"This began back at Crown Game; we all did something to get
that jolt…" she said as she drifted off in thought.
Suddenly, Mina had one thought. *Rolie-san?*
A knock on the door brought them out of their reverie, and Rei
said, "Yes?"
"Sorry to disturb you, Rei," Yuuichiro said as he slid the door
open, "but Motoki sent me to ask you all if you can join him and
his friends outside by the steps. I think he has an
announcement to make."
Everyone looked at each other as they all stood up, and Rei
asked, "Who's Motoki with?"
"Reika, his sister Unazuki, and some other guy…um, Rolie
Drake." said Yuuichiro, and he walked down the hall towards the
entrance.
Mina's breath caught, and everyone hesitated. Rei frowned, but
led the others down the hallway. Luna, however, stayed behind
the group, now intently curious of the unspoken conclusion they
all apparently had made.
*Hmmm,* she thought, *this Rolie Drake fellow may bear
watching. Could HE be the cause of the jolts?*
Meanwhile, deep in the woods behind the shrine, a young woman
leaned against a tall tree, picking at her nails, when a small
crystal hanging around her neck began to glow. She clutched it,
and then a fine mist materialized before her. An image of a
horned and winged Soultaker faced her.
"Captain Tyl, reporting as ordered, Commandant Lynx," the
Soultaker image said.
"Is your squad ready, Captain?" asked Lynx.
"Yes, mistress. Dsiban is aligning the transport beam to
handle the squad's size. Have you located the targets?"
Lynx turned to her right, and peered into the thick brush. Her
eyes narrowed and glowed red, and with her special sight, she
saw the unsuspecting victims waiting by the shrine entrance.
"Oh yes. I've found them, all right," she confirmed.
"Very well. Estimated time of arrival is five minutes. Please
stand by," finished Tyl, and his image faded.
Lynx nodded, and as she looked again with her special sight,
her crystal glowed briefly, and her Soultaker form now had
replaced her human form.
*Motoki and Reika, your soul energy are at your peak. And if
those Sailor brats interfere, I'm ready for them," she chuckled
evilly and licked her lips.
END Part 1--Chapter 4
(Note: Hmm, a cliffhanger! Stay tuned for Part 2! And thanks
for reading! HAL :-D )