FOG3
4th August 2004, 09:10 PM
Sacrifice
By: Matthew De Mouy
Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of the characters or universe used here within. I do not have a revenue flow coming from either series as we don't own them and are not working as a subsidiary. This fic isn't intended to raise revenue, which isn't to imply it ever could. Sailor Moon is the work of Naoko Takeuchi and the anime is adapted from it. Guyver comes from the works of Yoshiki Takaya and the OVAs are adapted from it.
What has happened before: In the year 1992 the warriors of the Silver Millenium known as the Sailor Senshi returned to active duty to end an ancient conflict with the Dark Kingdom. With the assistance of Sho they have been able to retrieve four of the seven fragments of the Ginzuishou. As they prepare to retrieve the remaining Nijizuishou he has become their last best hope for victory.
Chapter 3: Destiny
It's night. The Hyper Zoanoids attacked the school yesterday, and Mizuki found out about me. I go over to their house because I feel a great need to check on them, but I feel I endanger them with my presence. I ring the doorbell by the gate and hide with my back against one of the sides. Maybe they won't see me and I won't endanger them more. Tetsuro's smart though and spots me.
He speaks "Sho? I."
"I'm fine." I try to reassure him.
"It's amazing how quickly you've recovered."
Tetsuro's comment brings to the forefront something I've been trying to suppress. At the school yesterday I passed out from losing a rather serious amount of blood, but I'm physically fine now. A human shouldn't be able to recover that fast. Does this mean I'm no longer human? My discomfort shows on my face and Tetsuro tries to reassure me. I do not deserve such a good friend.
"You were injured so badly yesterday. What's going on? Come inside."
I don't dare take his offer. Especially with my thoughts about my healing indicating I'm not human anymore fresh in my mind. I don't want to hurt them. "No, I can't. I just had to check on you and."
"Please don't worry about Mizuki. I told her the whole story, she took it very well." He tries to reassure me, but that's not so much what I'm worried about.
He doesn't. No can't know what it's like to no longer be sure if you have a right to call yourself a human being. A right to even be with them. I care for her but her opinion of me is only part of it. What Derzerb said about killing anyone who knows of me rings in my mind. I don't have a right to be here, I should leave.
"You never know what might happen if I'm around you two. Besides, I have to go check on our friends. Take care I'll call you."
I run. He calls after me but I keep running. Not stopping until I reach a lamppost a few blocks down.
I can't ever go back. How can I protect them from what I am. I remember the previous fights, the incident, how that one choice changed my life. Wait, I can sense zoanoids when I'm the Guyver. If I search the city maybe I can find their base and shut them down. If I just stay on the defensive trying to protect Mizuki and Tetsuro I can't win, but if I hit them first I can destroy them and in the process save Tetsuro and Mizuki.
"GUYVER!!"
I begin to run. Then I remember I can control gravity with the orb at my waist. I should be able to fly and after focussing for a few minutes I am. Flying over the city, scanning the city looking for the zoanoids.
There, that building there. That skyscraper is practically packed solid with zoanoids. It must be it. I fly above it and charge my Megasmasher firing directly down vaporizing a sizable chunk of the building and destroying the basement levels. A few seconds later the remaining parts of the building begin to collapse. Several of it's occupants try to flee but I'm already there blocking their path.
I kill them, these people responsible for the murder of my classmates just to get to me. As I pick up the last one he defiantly tells me this isn't it. Chronos is a worldwide organization with bases everywhere. I slam him into a wall. My breather units eject a visible stream of air.
"Where?"
He seems to lose his confidence and then gain it back. "Relics point. It's under Mount Murakami, they'll stop you Guyver."
"Thank you."
He tries to transform, but I kill this despicable creature before it gets the chance.
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"It's Feldspar isn't it?"
"Yes it is, Prince Endymion. What business do you have in the city this time?"
"Beryl's lost her mind. She's raising an army to destroy the Moon Kingdom. You need to reinforce the wall while I warn the Princess."
"It will be done. The Guard's first duty is to protect this city. You've never lied or given any reason to suspect you of lying before. The Princess is likely in the Great Hall, they're having one of their Balls tonight. Godspeed, and I pray you can get them to act."
"Thank you, Feldspar of the Imperial Guard. I wish you luck."
He hurries by through the gate, the Prince of Earth, Heir to the Golden Kingdom Elysion. I pull out my transmitter.
"Control. Prince Endymion has informed us of an impending invasion led by Beryl of all people. We need to close the gates and go to battle alert. Repeat, we need to close the gates and go to battle alert."
"This is control. _Queen Serenity_ has not authorized us to go to battle alert. Doing so might unnecessarily worry the civilians. Stay at your post."
"But if we have troops coming in when need to seal the city and prepare to repel them."
"Negative. Earthers do not have the authority to give orders to the Guard of the Moon Kingdom. You will stay at your post."
I close the connection. The gates must be closed and the city sealed to be able to bring the defensive shields online. If it's left open like this we're practically defenseless. My oath was to protect this city against threats foreign and domestic, this gate must be closed.
I rush the remaining people in and seal the gate, leaving me outside. It doesn't take long for them to show. Thousands strong they march, a black tide against the white lunar landscape. The short amount of time it takes for them to reach the wall and the Main Gate is frightening, but this sort of thing is what we were trained for.
Lady Beryl, who was considered one of the greatest councils and seers in the Solar System and known for her honesty and being one of the most powerful mages not of royal blood, is indeed at the head of the army, flanked by the Shitennou. Their uniforms seem to have been changed but it is definitely those four. They halt and I bring my Blast Stave to the ready.
Jadeite speaks, "They only send one lone guardsmen to their defense? Pathetic."
Beryl or what was once Beryl, for she neither sounds nor exactly looks the same as she once did, was less patient. Commanding her great host, "Kill him and bring down the Gate. The Moon Kingdom falls tonight and that little tramp with it."
I slash and bat at them as they attack trying to fend them off, but they're to many. A clawed hand tears into my back cutting deep. As I wince the rest tear into me before slamming me into the wall as they proceed through the gate, which they've destroyed. The gate that is my duty to guard.
I try to crawl and reach my Blast Stave from where it has fallen, leaving a trail of my life's blood as I go. It's really to late though, they've already flooded in through the gate and began slaughtering the people I was supposed to protect. As the city begins to burn I hear a distraught cry of "Endymion" over the commotion and fighting. Then there's a noise like someone fired some sort of powerful energy attack.
I begin to feel weak as my life's blood continues to flow out of me. Everything's going cold. My vision begins to fade and everything goes dark.
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These bases are beginning to put up stiffer resistance, even though they can now only make the most basic of zoanoids. I have to be more careful about clearing them out because of the locations they've began choosing. Soon I'll have deprived Chronos of its ability to raise an army. Then Mizuki, Tetsuro, and everyone else should be safe. They should be in college now working on their degrees. Hard to believe it's only been four years, but then until now I was asleep half the time or spending time eating or keeping my body hydrated. The unit has made it so I no longer have to do such things. I just boost and it's taken care of. Four solid years of constantly throttling Chronos, destroying every base I could find and never stopping.
Two no wait three zoanoids approaching. Time to rid the world of more of their scum.
"Hello Sho."
"Wait Tetsuro, Mizuki, Dad what are you doing here?"
"Son, run leave this place, now. We can't resist much longer."
"Dad no they. but I."
"We're here to kill you Sho. Chronos got us after you left." Tetsuro's voice seemed to change into someone else's, "You've been a great thorn in our side, Guyver. Can you kill your friends?"
They morph and attack me. Skills honed to an instinct dispatch them quickly. I stare down in horror at what I've done as their bodies dissolve. The Overlords will be here soon.
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I'm shaken awake.
"Sho-san are you alright? Were you having bad dreams again?"
"Yes, memories of the past. I don't know, maybe my unconscious mind thinks if I had done something different it wouldn't have turned out like this. I'm sorry to have worried you. It's bad enough I'm invading upon your home turf."
"It's not a problem, you aren't breaking the ground rules and there's nothing that says I can't have visitors. I enjoy having some company around."
"I don't believe my breaking the ground rules would solve anything. Here, this crystal contains a message and a copy of all of my memories up until now. I leave it to your discretion when they and history learns of it."
"You aren't going to be coming back are you?"
"I've run a thousand scenarios through my mind. I see only one real chance that could work. She cannot succeed otherwise, all the people I slaughtered and things I did will have been for not otherwise. I can't make right what I had to do, but I can insure that it ends. I'm sorry I couldn't do better. I don't want to cause you more pain, but I'm aware of no other way."
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The Dark Kingdom was swift in its retaliation. They sent several converted Zoaforms and even some Youma out in response. The Senshi met and fought them, Sho provided assistance but he did not transform.
'My hands are stained black with the blood of innocents, victims of fate who were either unknowingly or unwillingly were changed and sent against me. I was ignorant of the reality of my actions, but ignorance isn't an excuse. Zoaforms were humans many of whom didn't even known they'd been converted and deployed under the absolute power of the Zoalords over their minds.
The army that Beryl led were humans deceived. As were probably the Shitennou and Beryl herself. If the Senshi knew this would they be able to still fight or live with themselves? I'm so filthy with blood already it is only right I should try to minimize who they have to kill to reduce the amount of guilt they feel when they inevitably find out the truth.'
Sho began to have convulsions. 'Not now. Please don't.' Sho dropped the revolver he'd been using to help pick off opponents and knocked off his sunglasses as he clutched his head.
Sailor Moon finished off the last of the Youma and their opponents with the Crescent Moon Wand just as Sho's convulsions began to subside.
Hearing the gun hit the pavement the Senshi turned. Jupiter began to move forward.
"Sho-san are you alright?"
Sho removed his hands from his face and the Senshi noticed there was no longer anything human in Sho's eyes.
Assessing threats, designating target.
It brought up its arm and Sailor Moon was sent into a wall causing a crater from the impact by a barely visible stream of distortion.
"You can't do that. Sailor Venus Kick."
It grabbed Venus' foot in mid air and slammed her into the ground.
"No choice. Fire Soul!"
The flames went and engulfed Sho. It was done they didn't want to do such a thing but they had to. Sho had been a good ally and if you got past the hardened exterior there was a very good person underneath. He himself had been in fear of what would happen if he lost control. Hopefully the flames would purify him enough his troubled soul could rest in peace. Rei said a short prayer.
Something stirred in the flames. This thing in Sho's body walked out of the flames unscathed except for the loss of its clothes. Mars joined Sailor Moon in being sent into a wall.
"Shabon Spray."
It continued walking unaffected by either the drop in temperature or the lowered visibility. Threats remaining. two, eliminate. Mercury went down with a punch to her gut. Jupiter felt his hand close around her throat.
"Sho, you don't want to do this." Jupiter tried to get through to him.
Eliminate all threats.
Jupiter looked into remorseless eyes that showed no hint of compassion. The eyes of a killing machine.
"Sho, I know you're in there. Don't you care about me?" Jupiter tried projecting her emotions towards it.
Eliminate all. NO.
It pulled back letting her go. It clutched its head before it began to scream, a soul wrenching scream that brought to mind a life of full pain, suffering, and loneliness knowing it isn't safe to risk others by associating with them. The scream ended and it collapsed.
"Sho?" Jupiter asked.
As it began to get up Jupiter saw Sho was once more in control although great mental fatigue was in evidence.
"I'm sorry, it almost got full control. Thank you." Sho passed out.
The other senshi began to come around and view the scene. There was just one little problem, they had a over 200 kilogram practically nude boy lying in the street they needed to do something about, but it was so embarrassing.
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They finally arrived back at the Hikawa shrine.
Rei spoke up, "Ami-san what were you able to find out about the Golden Crystal?"
"Well the Mercury computer says it's a legendary lost crystal that was related to the Kings of Earth. It has not been seen since the early days of the Golden Kingdom. It says it is believed to be held by Elysion's heir for the time when it is most needed."
"Elysion's heir? Do we have any clues on his identity?" Minako asked.
"Well I found this profile for Endymion, who was the heir. It seems I also made notes of his visits with the Moon Princess. Here's the picture."
The Senshi clustered in to look at the screen.
Usagi exclaimed. "But that's."
Makoto interjected, "If he's the Moon Princess's boyfriend then does that mean he's."
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Mamoru Chiba had been getting dark portents today. Luckily despite Zoisite finding out his identity he'd managed to stay one step ahead of them. He hadn't been helping the Senshi as much recently as by the time he arrived the fights were usually already over. It was quite odd really, but on the positive side it allowed him more time to study.
As he walked down the street on his normal route he suddenly felt like eyes were watching him.
"Mamoru-san, we would like the Nijizuishou back now, please." Came a voice.
Yes dark portents indeed.
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Makoto entered her apartment. They'd eventually ended up using the disguise pen to give Sho some clothes and carrying him with a makeshift stretcher. Makoto had opted for her apartment as a place to let him stay until he regained consciousness.
She found him sitting staring out a window in one of her more boyish outfits. Oh yeah, forgot to get him another set of clothes and the disguise pen left with Usagi. Sho turned around as he heard her approach.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't find anything else and I thought you'd expect me to be here." Sho said softly a resigned tone in his voice.
"It's alright I guess. What were you thinking about?"
Sho turned back to the window.
"Memories. Memories of back when I could call myself human." Sho looked at his hands turning them over and back his look almost as if he expected them to sprout claws. Makoto waited patiently for him to continue.
"I used to be Secretary of the student council at my high school. It wasn't because I enjoyed the work or the position particularly though. There was a girl I liked who was the Vice-President of the student council, but she wasn't interested in me. Her brother was my best friend and I'd known her since I was very young. She was interested in the President of the student council. Everything seems like it was so carefree then." Sho smiled for a moment. "Natsuki and Tetsuro would get into their little fights with each other and I would help them with the Sci-Fi club stuff."
Sho sighed a look tinged with depression on his face.
"Why do you fight?" Sho asked suddenly. "What keeps you going when things take a turn for the worse?"
Makoto was caught off guard.
"I think its friendship."
Sho seemed to nod to space.
"What about you Sho? What keeps you going?"
"A need to protect those people care about, because I am a abysmal failure at protecting those I care about."
Makoto nodded bet kept quiet feeling that Sho needed to get something off his chest.
"And a need to make right what I've done. I fear though it's not meant to be, that I'll be doomed to spend the rest of eternity doing that which I want to make amends for, until something puts me out of my misery."
Sho got quiet as he finished his sentence. From his dejected manner it was quite apparent this was seriously getting to him.
"Isn't there something we could do? Sailor Moon could heal you or the Ginzuishou?"
Sho slowly shook his head back and forth.
"Isn't that simple, it has slowly adapted and integrated itself doing this to me. It's not the type of thing you can wave a wand and make it just disappear."
"Isn't there a way?" Makoto inquired.
"Life arises from star seeds. My star seed is the only thing it can't alter. If I was resurrected from my Star Seed then I might be free of its effects." Sho's tone will still one of dejection.
Makoto pondered this for a moment.
"Do you care about me, Sho?"
Sho seemed to stare off pondering his answer. Makoto was just beginning to wonder if he would answer when he did very quietly.
"Yes, very much. You're a good person and that's part of what allows me to keep going. I don't deserve your kindness."
Makoto glanced at her watch.
"Sho we need to get moving, they're waiting for us."
Sho got up.
"Aptom's found out the exact location of the last Nijizuishou in Chronos hands. There's some stuff I have in storage we need to retrieve, want to help?"
"Okay."
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They gathered at the Hikawa shrine. The girls had brought along a friend one, Mamoru Chiba. Sho addressed him as Endymion, Prince of Earth and Heir to the Golden Kingdom of Elysion before they introduced him.
"How did you know that", Rei asked.
"Well dignitaries sometimes used the Imperial Guard as heralds and we were trained to know the most important people on sight so they weren't hassled going through the gates." Sho responded.
"I see."
"We got Tuxedo Kamen's Nijizuishou." Usagi announced.
Really she'd been quite persistent about holding on to them herself. Mamoru had been forced to cave in rather quickly.
Makoto brought in a tray of fresh baked cookies, of which the girls and their prisoner partook.
Minako asked a question, "I'm curious Sho what exactly were you doing for the past eight years?"
"I found this unit by accident and Chronos began attacking me and my friends to get it. After they were so bold as to attack my school and show they could cover up even that I realized if I just stayed on the defensive nothing would change and more people would die. So I went and found their local base and leveled it to the ground and from the survivors I found out where the next closest base was, a place called Relics Point and I wrecked it. I kept doing that for four years. During that time I found eventually if I boosted I didn't need to eat, drink, or sleep and could continue my assault against Chronos continuously going from location to location, base to base. I caused most of their research to be lost and didn't give them a chance to rebuild the data from what I left.
Then four years ago I met a man named Murakami and realized there was more to Chronos's plan then I thought. My time of large assaults on bases pretty much ended then. Infecting Chronos' computer systems with viruses that would alter the data or delete it so their zoanoid production would be hampered became the norm. Assassinating the creatures they had gotten into key places so there was no chance of launching X-day. Murakami taught me most of the tricks I know. He died when we took down Overlord Guyot about two years ago and I met Aptom soon after. Apparently we'd left stuff intact enough Valkus had been able to modify him to make him better then he was originally, but that had also freed him from the Overlords control. Around that time was when I stopped and began to realize just how much of my humanity I had lost."
"What happened to your friends?" Ami asked.
"Chronos got them. They died four years ago."
"That's sad, Sho-san."
"Can I have attention please? Thank you. The last Nijizuishou is located on the Island of Silha. This island has considerable defenses and is almost impossible to approach normally. This is also the personal residence of Lord Archanfel, the most powerful of the Chronos Overlords. Towards the end of the Advent's experiments on this planet a few million years ago you could say he was the cumulation of their work here. He was to be the ruler of Earth and the army they created here with their experiments, which were the zoanoids. The Advent left shortly after a test involving a human and a unit identical to the one I'm bonded with. It is assumed their reason for leaving was connected with their inability to control this experiment. Archanfel is said to have annihilated a moon when the Advent left. His powers are not to be underestimated.
Aptom was able to find the exact location the crystal is being stored. If you look at this map the main temple here is the building we have to sneak into. Silha is well defended and we don't want to face its lord right now, this is a raid we get in and then we get out. I'll direct the teleport to get us where we need to be, and once we snatch it I'll direct us to a safe exit point, from which we can hopefully lose any tail we may pick up. Any questions?"
Ami raised her hand, "Excuse me but what has Archanfel been doing for the past several millions years?"
"Hibernating mostly from what I could find out. Historically a respectable civilization arose about a hundred thousand years after the Advent left and set up colonies on Venus, Mars, and the Jovian moons. A scientific outpost was set up on Mercury to study the Sun from appearances. The ships they used for Mercury weren't really right for pure colonization efforts. The remaining Advent bioengineering equipment they apparently discovered in addition to some beginnings in magic allowed them to make it so they could survive in their new environments. According to the ships it would appear these came into some sort of conflict which was devastating enough it destroyed their ability to leave their planets and resulted in when this ability was reestablished none of them recognized they shared a common origin. A lot of other stuff happened before the Silver Millenium was established including sending out colony ships to other systems to colonize them, aliens coming in fleeing something or exploring. Conversely after the Silver Millenium ended, the ships aren't sure what happened exactly, but an almost ridiculously devastating war broke out. We're not sure why exactly Earth was the only one to manage to have some survivors, but it may have to do with the unaccounted for Golden Kingdom of Elysion."
Ami spoke up again, "Ships? What ships are you referring to Aikawa-san?"
"When the Advent left several of their ships were left behind. Those that managed to find an energy source have monitored the goings on in this system with their rather advanced sensors. I've communicated with some of these ships and they sort of downloaded their memory databanks to me. Although I didn't recognize it as more then a short image based message at first. If they hadn't shut down as much as they did, I'd be able to tell you about things happening outside the system."
Minako spoke up, "What about those Soldiers of the Outer Planets you were talking about? Could we bring them in on this?"
"No, even though one of the previous Queens to Tsukino-san's mother stripped the Soldiers of the Outer Planets of their Royal Guard complement they still have to stay at their assigned posts, alone in the night against outside threats. Even if they're all still alive they cannot break their vows and help us, as to do so would mean abandoning their posts. They are more powerful then you are as scouts, but Serenity made them swear to stay at their posts. They aren't even supposed to really contact or be with one and another."
Luna commented, "I'm pretty sure they're just legends anyway."
"It's telling that a member of Serenity's court holds the protectors that selflessly protect the Solar System in such low regard as to consider them mere legends. It makes one wonder if there may have been other reasons they were put out there alone and divided."
"I beg your pardon! What exactly are you implying?"
"Nothing, Nothing at all. I wouldn't dare to imply certain members of the court, or even the Queen herself, feared a challenge to their power or authority, not at all."
"You should know your place."
Sho just stared at her a few minutes and Luna backed down.
"Excuse me, but is this going to be like your last mission where we just get dragged along to watch, or do we actually do something this time?" Rei asked.
"Neither me or Aptom could get into Silha normally without setting off the alarms, and having to contend with the defenses. They're too familiar with what we can do. You're Sailor Teleport however represents something that the defenses never took into account. Something they haven't seen before. That should allow us to get in and snatch the crystal before they realize we're there. How many do we actually need to teleport?"
Artemis spoke up, "The Guardians of the Princess have the capacity to use the Sailor Teleport without the Princess. Otherwise without using an established network you need all of them."
"Thank you, Tsukino-san you're staying here."
"What? Why? Why do I have to stay behind?"
"Someone needs to hold on to the Nijizuishou until we get back. Between you and Endymion-kyou they should be in good hands."
Sho dug out all the Nijizuishou he had been holding to date and handed them over.
"Okay for the rest of you I obtained some jungle camouflage coveralls. They're in the box over there. If you want to transform and put those on over your Sailor Senshi uniforms that would be preferable. The bandannas in there will allow you to cover up those tiaras so they don't give us away prematurely due to light being reflected off them. Also we're going into a hot rather humid area so they'll help keep you comfortable."
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They found themselves on a rather hot and humid island in some jungle landscape. A Tyrannosaurus Rex was in the process of feeding not 200 meters away. Venus opened her mouth, only to have a hand clamp down on it.
"Don't scream. Don't talk. We don't want to draw its attention." Sho whispered in her ear. "Do you understand?"
Venus nodded.
"Follow me."
Sho gestured for the others to follow, which forced them out of their shocked states. A dinosaur wasn't exactly something one saw everyday, especially a living breathing one that could have you for lunch.
They traveled through the jungle crouched down trying to blend in. Slowly moving forward and occasionally stopping at Sho's signal. Everyone in the group realized they were in dangerous territory here and as Sho seemed to know what he was doing no one questioned his authority.
Eventually they came to a grassland area where a temple stood, identical to the one in the drawings Sho had shown them. It looked rather Mayan in it design inspiration. Sho gestured at Mercury, tapped the side of his head, and pointed at them temple. She realized he wanted her to use the visor function of her computer to scan the temple.
"There's two." She had a hand clamped over her mouth.
"Quietly." Sho whispered.
"There's two sentries there and there and some other readings in the temple itself but nothing to indicate the creature you were talking about is home." She whispered back.
"Good, that agrees with my assessment. Do any of you have an attack you could use to snipe one of them?" Sho whispered.
Venus gestured at herself. "My Crescent Beam should do the trick. What do you want me to do?"
"Sneak up as close as you safely feel you can and take out the one on the left when I drop the one on the right. Everybody else proceed forward when we take them out."
Sho was off disappearing into the underbrush. Venus followed forced to give herself an impromptu crash course on the low crawl. She thought she made a good student.
As she approached she was able to more clearly make out the creature's guarding the main entrance. They were big green lizards with some form of big spike coming out of their foreheads with other little spikes. She decided to mentally dub them G-chans. They did afterall fit the description of what the others had referred to by that name when she'd asked about it.
She spotted Sho on the far side of the temple. He made a leap up to the upper level no human should be capable of, but what was most unnerving about it is he made no noise in the process. He also seemed to be coming down really slow, but maybe that was just a figment of her imagination. Sho snuck around the side of the temple. Venus began prepping her Crescent beam. Sho grabbed the G-chan's head for behind and snapped its neck. Venus hit the other one in the head with a Crescent Beam.
The rest of the group proceeded forward to the entrance. Sho gestured for them to follow him inside as the G-chans dissolved in the hot sun. They followed Sho as he began to navigate the corridors passing an odd chamber in the process. Eventually they came to an entrance where Sho stopped and slowly peeked around the corner. With his hand he gestured indicating two.
They came around the corner, two crustacean looking creatures with three hose like things attached to their head and three fingered claw hands with what looked like a cluster of crystals grouped around where their wrists should be stood guarding a glass box containing the indigo Nijizuishou. Something clicked in Jupiter's mind from when she'd previously seen Sho in action. She brought he hands together in front of her palms facing towards each other. A barely visible sphere appeared distinguishable only by the shadowy distortion at its edges. She pulled her hands apart lightning crackling between them charging. She brought them closer together and projected it at her target.
"Sparkling Pressure Crash."
The creature on the left went down with a large hole where its chest cavity used to be. The one on the right was frozen in a block of ice by Mercury's Shine Aqua Illusion. Sho rushed forward and shattered the glass case taking the last Nijizuishou out of its case. Alarms began going off.
"Okay we got what we came here for. Prepare for a Sailor Teleport."
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They arrived back at the Hikawa shrine after landing in another part of town. Sho had stated they needed to throw off anyone who might possibly be able to follow them when questioned why he didn't just direct the teleport back to the shrine. Sho had managed to arrange for Aptom to show up and was standing at the bottom of the steps leading to the shrine conversing with him.
"So what's the deal?"
"We have all seven now, all they need to do is get them to reunite. The Overlords know about the legend of the Moon Kingdom and that her mother died when she tried to use the Ginzuishou's power to vanquish Metaria. If they detect that Metaria's gone I expect they'll show up in force within the hour or so it would take them to respond to recover it. When they expect her to either be weak and vulnerable, or dead. Especially now they now we have all the pieces they can account for."
"You're really intending to go through with that crazy plan of yours aren't you? I ought to kill you now before you deny me the ability to do so."
"You have a better plan to take them out?"
"No, but I still think you're nuts. If your going through with this didn't help insure my own survival so much you would be dead right now."
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Inside the shrine the Senshi were having a conversation of their own.
Ami began speaking, "You know how we keep hearing others refer to Sho-san as Fukamachi? Well I did a search. Fukamachi isn't exactly an uncommon name, but when I narrowed it down to Sho Fukamachi I found this."
The screen brought up a death certificate for one Sho Fukamachi, dated eight years ago.
"When I searched on that date and papers around that time I brought up this incident where a school was said to have been hit by a terrorist attack. The school records have a picture of our Sho under the name Sho Fukamachi. He was a High School Junior at the time. His father Fumio Fukamachi and close friends the Segawas both disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The class President, Agito Makashima disappeared for several weeks before showing up again after this attack."
Makoto spoke up, "Who is this Makashima guy?"
"His father apparently gave him to his uncle to pay for some sort of debt. The uncle was supposed to own a company called Max Pharmaceuticals, which was destroyed the night after the terrorist attack on the school. The destruction of the building also had some mysterious stuff about it. What's odd is someone else apparently came in and provided for Makashima even though his uncle's and father's companies no longer existed."
"Do you think that Max Pharmaceutical may have been that Chronos base Sho-san was talking about? The one he destroyed the day after his school was attacked? That could mean Makashima is or was working for Chronos." Minako piped in.
"On the other hand he could have been unaware of who his uncle's company was working for." Makoto mentioned.
"So what happened with Makashima?" Rei asked.
"I really wasn't able to find much more information on him. Sorry, guys."
-----------------------------------------
The Senshi, the heir to the Golden Kingdom, Aptom, and Sho had all congregated in one room of the Hikawa shrine. Rei's grandfather had been quite curious at so many people showing up. He had begun asking questions when several teenage girls just happened to arrive and start asking around.
Sho spoke up, "Aptom you're a miracle worker."
"Just chalk it up as another thing you owe me for, Fukamachi."
Rei got a weird look on her face. This man with the big scar on half his face was Aptom, but were they implying those girls were also.
"I told you not to ask for a reason." Sho commented.
Sho handed over the last of the Nijizuishou, the indigo crystal they had obtained from the island of Silha. They put all of them in on the table in the center of the room where they hovered with no visible sign of support.
Usagi spoke up, "So what do we do now?"
Luna spoke up, "I'm not sure."
"I know it's got to be like a puzzle." Minako said. She proceeded to try and fit the various crystals together. "Anyone have any glue?"
The group sweatdropped.
Ami pulled out her computer. "The readings indicate they are presently in a state of magical static equilibrium."
"Which means?" Rei inquired.
"That unless a certain specific force is applied they're just going to stay seven separate Nijizuishou instead of turning into one Ginzuishou." Sho answered.
Artemis walked over to the table and putting his paws on the edge asked, "Do you mind if I look at that Ami-san?"
"No, go ahead Artemis."
Artemis jumped up on the table and began manipulating the Mercury computer's keyboard. "I see."
"What?" Was the reply.
"The Princess needs to exert her will on the Nijizuishou with sufficient force to make them turn back into the Ginzuishou."
"How would you suggest we do that?" Sho asked.
Looking at Usagi who had wandered off and was reading one of Rei's manga Artemis replied, "No idea."
Rei snatched back her manga. "Why don't you pay attention, meatball head. This is serious."
"Rei-chan you're so mean."
"If you'd just pay attention when you're supposed to I wouldn't have to be."
"You seem to be taking this rather calmly." Mamoru commented.
"Our attempts to get those two to stop haven't been as successful as we would have hoped." Ami commented.
"In short they do this all the time and you've grown apathetic to it. Am I wrong?" Aptom stated.
"Not really," was Sho's reply.
"Hey come on you two. We don't have time for this." Makato put the two of them in a headlock after their quarrel had devolved into sticking out their tongues at each other.
"Whoa. Whoa, Luna what was that place you were thinking of just right now when you were being exasperated at how immature Tsukino-san acts in relation to the Queen?" Sho asked.
"Huh? Why where you reading my mind?"
Artemis spoke up, "That's it, the prayer tower. That should allow her to focus her will enough to cause the Ginzuishou to reform."
Song trickled in from outside in a girl's voice. "Fly me to the moon."
Another girl's voice joined in, "And let me play among the stars."
Yet a third girls voice joined in with the others, "Let me see what life is like on Jupiter and Mars."
They peeked out to see the group of teenage schoolgirls singing.
"In other words hold my hand."
"Aptom." Rei's voice had a certain edge to it.
"What? It's keeping the old man happy isn't it?" was the reply.
------------------------------------------------
Rei's grandfather had been sad to see the group of 'schoolgirls' go, they been so attentive. He would have probably been significantly more distressed if he had known they merged with the Aptom that had been inside shortly after they left, and the group had left the shrine. As a matter of fact everyone but Aptom and Sho seemed to be on their way to being physically ill for having seen the spectacle.
The Senshi rushed off to transform in a little less public place.
Mamoru spoke up, "So you and they were both."
"Don't ask. I might be in the mood to tell you." Sho responded.
Mamoru nodded and kept quiet.
"Oh come on it'll only warp your mind." Aptom said.
"You told me and I know he doesn't want to know." Sho said.
"You and your hocus pocus mind reading powers."
"Gentlemen?" Mamoru interrupted.
"Where?" Aptom asked.
"I think that's enough tormenting the poor guy, Aptom. Besides which the Sailor Senshi are almost back."
As the Senshi approached Mamoru transformed into Tuxedo Kamen. It was a rather quick no nonsense affair. One minute he was there in his normal clothes the next he was in a tuxedo with mask and everything else.
"So whose hand do I get to hold?" Aptom asked.
The Senshi had a collective look of distaste.
"I guess I'll do it." Tuxedo Kamen answered.
Mars and Moon were by his side clutching an arm each almost before he realized it.
"You don't need to hold _his_ hand. You can hold _mine." It was debatable which was more eerie they're saying that together or the look they shot Aptom.
"You can stand in the center with us." Artemis commented to Aptom.
"Everyone in position." Commanded Luna.
"Guard Power."
"Mercury Power."
"Venus Power."
"Mars Power."
"Jupiter Power."
"Moon Prism Power."
"Sailor Teleport!"
-------------------------------------
"So Artemis can you direct us to the local equivalent of the Holiest of Holies or do we need to search around the Palace's foundation to find it?" Sho inquired.
"I know the way, I think." Answered Artemis.
They walked through the ruins of the Moon Kingdom, proceeding to the ruins of the Moon Palace. Once there Artemis led them around. He had to double back once or twice, but he got them there. A small crystal spire about seventy centimeters tall stood at the center of a circular room.
"Here it is." Artemis said.
"Can I borrow the Nijizuishou for a moment?" Sho asked.
"What are you going to use them for?" Sailor Moon asked.
"I have a theory."
Sailor Moon looked uncertain but handed the crystals over. Sho dusted off two circles one inside the other. He arranged the yellow, red, blue, and green Nijizuishou as they were on Sailor Moon's broach in the inner circle. He then went and put the remaining orange, purple, and indigo Nijizuishou on the outer circle.
"What was that supposed to do?" Mars inquired.
"It's symbolic. Those four inner ones represent you the Guardians of the Princess. I already told you who corresponds to what. The orange, indigo, and purple correspond to Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto respectively of the Soldiers of the Outer Planets. It might be related to how the Queen was able to break the Ginzuishou down like that in the first place. It's just a guess, but it can't hurt." Sho responded.
"Is there a Sailor Saturn?" Mercury asked.
"From what I remember she's supposed to have been special in some way. From the implications it isn't surprising she isn't represented here."
"So what do I do?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Sit here and pray for the Nijizuishou to reform into the Ginzuishou. Pray to be able to save your friends." Artemis instructed.
Sailor Moon complied.
The Nijizuishou gained altitude and began circling around Sailor Moon's head. The look on her face changed to one of concentration and her eyes closed. The Nijizuishou began to lose their crystalline shape and resemble colored blobs of goo. They then began to turn into beams of light before simultaneously hitting the crystal spire.
A large multi-faceted clear crystal, materialized over the spire. Sailor Moon's fuku turned into a elegant white dress.
Aptom looked on in indifference as the others seemed to go into reveries.
Sho began to go into spasms, which threw him out of his reverie. It took him a few minutes to cause it to subside. He grabbed Endymion and shook him.
"Where is Elysion?"
"Huh? Elysion? Why do you need to know where Elysion is?"
"Everything points to the Dark Kingdom's headquarters being at your palace in Elysion. Now please give me the coordinates."
------------------------------------------
The teleport was suddenly disrupted dropping us out over the snow. I'm not surprised a kingdom like Elysion should have some decent defenses. This shows beyond a doubt that someone's home, just as I thought.
"What happened?" asks Venus.
"My guess would be that the palace defenses include a teleport inhibition system that will stop all unauthorized intruders from just teleporting in directly." I say.
Interesting. Those energy patterns resemble, yes they are. Seems we are expected.
"We've go company." I state.
An army phases into place, surrounding our group in solid ranks for as far as they could see. A numberless horde, okay fine my senses know how many. A solid mix of constructs, converted Zoaforms, and great just great they actually got some of the original force once more deployed here. I was hoping they wouldn't show up. The conversion process on the Zoaforms destroys their minds, but the other I was hoping I could save them.
"Welcome to the Dark Kingdom, Sailor Senshi. I hope you enjoy our welcome." Came a voice from above.
"Agito Makashima, higher up in Chronos. Now Dark Kingdom lackey boy." Aptom comments.
It's not so much I haven't noticed him already. I can read a human's mind by now another Guyver's is almost an open book. So you were the last host Makashima and you were the one who behind the one who stole the units. Well look at that, you were at Chronos Japan when I leveled it. Playing both sides against the middle to attain your dreams of power, Agito you sicken me. I think I'll block off reading your mind.
Let's see, the inhibition system is set up to. Okay, we got a chance then, but if we all go we'll end up right back where we started when they follow.
"AKA Guyver 3. The inhibitors appear to just not let you teleport there directly. Get out of here. I'll hold them off." I comment.
"You're here, Fukamachi? That is convenient." I ignore Agito.
"You can't fight this many, Sho-san." Jupiter exclaims.
Predictor agrees with you.
"If you waste your strength here on them you won't have it when you need it later. My part in this is over, yours is yet to come." I try to reassure her.
I know how you feel Makoto-san, but I'm afraid it just isn't going to work out that way.
Sailor Moon speaks up, "No, we don't leave our friends behind. We're staying here."
Honorable sentiment, I'm afraid an exception has to be made this time.
"If that is your decision."
I send them away. Even if it literally rips my innards up to do it they'll be safe. I activate the Teleport Inhibitors I brought along. I thought something like this might happen. With a barely audible click the entire rig of fifteen inhibitors comes online, they're going nowhere. No need to be sneaky about deploying them this time.
Well Makashima I guess it is true what I had thought if you are still that human now. I brought this upon myself. Of course, you haven't used yours virtually at all.
"You think you can defeat me by yourself Fukamachi? I think you overestimate your power."
No, you underestimate what I've become since we last saw each other eight years ago. So here we are again the massive horde verse just me, must be fate. This time I have a new trick though. I slowly look around, might as well get one last good look. I won't be seeing any of this ever again. The modification to insure Metaria goes down requires me to sacrifice my Star Seed with everything else. No being brought back this time.
"Nothing to say to your old classmate?"
I'm sorry, Makoto-san. Sorry I'm not smarter, I couldn't find another way. Sorry, I got so close to you, because your such a beautiful person inside that I felt drawn to you. I could feel through you things I've lost and wished I could have experienced. Please excuse my selfishness. In the end all I've done is once again cause a person unnecessary pain.
I feel a tear begin to trickle down my face. Well this is it.
I look up at Agito and address him, "Goodbye."
--------------------------
I find myself standing on an empty area of snow. As I look around I see the others, but Sho is gone. There isn't any sign of the horde that had surrounded us before, white snow from horizon to horizon far as the eye can see totally unblemished.
"How did we get here?" I exclaim as the others try to get their bearings. Aptom seems rather casual about this.
"I'd expect Sho transported us over here." Aptom states matter of factly.
"What!? Take us back!" I demand. Sho can't hold off that many on his own even as strong as he is. We have to help him! I.
"Hyperspatial maneuvers are his specialty, not mine. For him to send this many across though. Knowing him he's taken measures to insure you couldn't go back there." Aptom nonchalantly states. How can he be so calm about this?!
"But why?" I demand.
"He feels it is the only way to save you. He also probably thinks it might atone for what he considers his crimes."
Sho you. You didn't have to do this. Are you trying to be a hero? What about us.
I'm sorry, Makoto-san. Sorry I'm not smarter, I couldn't find another way. Sorry, I got so close to you, because your such a beautiful person inside that I felt drawn to you. I could feel through you things I've lost and wished I could have experienced. Please excuse my selfishness. In the end all I've done is once again cause a person unnecessary pain.
That was Sho's voice in my head. Sho I'm sure you can hear me, please don't go.
A little white light appears on the horizon, with frightening speed it begins eating up the distance coming towards us. RUN!
We begin running as fast as our legs can carry us. Moon ends up stubling but I scoop her up and keep on going. I know it's still growing. Hey where's Aptom? I look over my shoulder to see Aptom calmly standing where we were.
"What are you doing? Run!" I yell at him.
The giant sphere of energy continues to eat up the ground at a frightening pace. Then it stops, several hundred meters from where we were standing.
"Have to give the kid credit." Aptom nonchalantly comments while glancing at the giant apparently static fireball. I unconsciously end up turning around and I hear the others stop.
"Mercury, what's going on?" Moon asks.
"I'm not sure. I've never seen readings like these. The Mercury computer isn't able to tell me much except it's very powerful and something is. separating us from it."
"Is it just sitting there?" Mars asks.
"No, the power keeps increasing. Why it's acting like that I don't know. My computer isn't able to process half these readings."
The massive sphere of energy vanishes. The next thing we knew we were airborne being ripped by an unyielding wind into a truly massive crater. I feel something snake around my waist.
I follow the tentacle and see Aptom. He's now in some monster form and has grabbed everyone else with tentacles trying to keep them from being blown away by the wind. It's amazing he isn't being blown away himself.
Abruptly the wind gives out and we crash into the snow over the edge of the crater. We're all brought up. As we climb over the edge I inquire how Aptom was able to avoid being pulled in himself.
"I made like a tree and grew roots."
I suppose I shouldn't expect a normal response from him. As I look up I see a structure looming behind him. Something that was definitely not there a few minutes ago.
-------------------------
They entered the palace of the Dark Kingdom, formerly of the Golden Kingdom. They weren't sure what to expect after that particular fireworks display Sho had put on outside. As they wandered further in they found something they most certainly did not expect.
A woman with long dark hair came running up crying before stopping in front of Sailor Moon and glomping on to her.
"I'm so sorry, <sob> Princess Serenity. I let my <sob> jealousy at you over Endymion control me to the point that thing was able to take me over. I destroyed your kingdom and killed everyone. I didn't mean for it to ever go that far. I only wanted to be with Endymion-sama."
"Uhm who are you?" Mars asked.
The women backed off Usagi and took on a reserved air.
"My name? I was. Beryl, just Beryl. No title, no inheritance, just the talent I was borne with and my reputation." Beryl answered dejectedly.
This caused a mixed reaction. This certainly didn't seem to be a violent person like Queen Serenity had described, just a normal person who had been trying to make their way on their own merits. She sounded as much of a victim as anything else. This had to be a trap of some sort. Yes, after all only someone truly evil would have destroyed their peaceful lives in the Moon Kingdom.
Three more familiar figures approached. The Senshi's first reaction was to begin prepping their attacks, but this and their train of thought was abruptly halted when they proceeded to bow to Endymion. They also began to note their uniforms were now different. Gone were the black uniforms they had worn. In their place were white uniform jackets with some form of gold trim, brown pants, a dark cape, armored leg guards, and a sword by their sides.
"Master, we've found you at last. We were under the influence of Queen Metaria, but we're free now. We the Shitennou beg you to allow us once more into your service."
Aptom spoke up, "Looks like Sho's 'brilliant' plan actually worked."
"What plan?" Mercury inquired.
"He had this entire thing figured out since he returned from the Moon. He had been developing an attack that would allow him to defeat Archanfel before he met you. When he realized what had happened with the history of the Moon Kingdom his came up with this idea he could use it on Metaria and free them. He also thought even if you managed to take down Metaria considering the difficulty your mother had with her you would be vulnerable at that point. Something he thought the Overlords would also think."
"Attack? What? You mean that thing outside? But how did." Rei asked.
"As he explained it to me it is based around him disengaging the safety limiter on the dimensional control unit in his Control Medal. He then said he'd gather as much energy as possible then bump it through hyperspace at a target. That is then like a pebble rolled down a snowy mountain that because a boulder sized snowball as it is sent through hyperspace against its target in a way that according to him would only affect that one target. The price for this was he'd completely cease to exist, controlling the overload of energy only being barely possible due to his oneness with the unit by now. I frankly didn't believe it would work, but I guess it did. Oh that reminds me he wanted me to warn you the Overlords should be here within the hour."
Author's Note: If you were wondering why there was no evidence of Enzyme type in this fic as you see Chronos Japan gets leveled while the prototype was still in development. Before the information would have been sent on and Relics Point the likely place there would be a back up got trashed.
Sho made copy of his memories and gave them to Pluto because at that point Guyver 3's status and who he is, is uncertain. Thus he as the only evident controller is the only one who could access the Advent systems and their memory. A complete record of transmissions, movements, and such of the Solar System from when the Advent entered system to basically now is something that holds great historical value. Except for backing up his memories to something else this information would be lost with him.
In manga Luna does state she thought the Soldiers of the Outer Planets were legends when she found out they were real. That's where I'm getting that if you want to know.
Yes, Pluto doesn't wear any purple or anything otherwise to indicate purple relates to her. Dead Scream in Anime however is depicted as being purple. So because Saturn isn't exactly active duty and her power to destroy the world is special she's not represented.
As for why they had a little difficulty getting them back together. Well canonically it required a rather traumatic occurrence to cause Usagi to do it and we have no traumatic experience. So time for ritual magic.
Why aren't they suffering windburn or something like that? Well we've had the Senshi engulfed in flame, pelted by what appear to be multiple machineguns, and survive direct hits from big energy blasts in the S season of anime. So having them relatively unscathed by the air rushing back in didn't seem to be a real big stretch.
What's with the structure just fading into view? Well the Golden Kingdom's connection with Earth had to be a very real thing. So I think Metaria might be sucking off the Palace's power systems which cause the Dark Kingdom to be more in limbo and not aligned with Earth. So if she went bye bye, the power systems would start working properly again and once more align properly with Earth. If it has to due with her seal then she's gone no more interference and same result. The Ginzuishou in manga caused it to realign with Earth again, why or how wasn't clear. Not the most canonical basis, but canon isn't very clear on how it works. If you have some insight into this you could share with me please don't hesitate to inform me.
Credit to YoungGuyver for helping me with refinement work for this entire fic. Thank you for your competent help it was greatly appreciated.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and will read the epilogue.
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By: Matthew De Mouy
Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of the characters or universe used here within. I do not have a revenue flow coming from either series as we don't own them and are not working as a subsidiary. This fic isn't intended to raise revenue, which isn't to imply it ever could. Sailor Moon is the work of Naoko Takeuchi and the anime is adapted from it. Guyver comes from the works of Yoshiki Takaya and the OVAs are adapted from it.
What has happened before: In the year 1992 the warriors of the Silver Millenium known as the Sailor Senshi returned to active duty to end an ancient conflict with the Dark Kingdom. With the assistance of Sho they have been able to retrieve four of the seven fragments of the Ginzuishou. As they prepare to retrieve the remaining Nijizuishou he has become their last best hope for victory.
Chapter 3: Destiny
It's night. The Hyper Zoanoids attacked the school yesterday, and Mizuki found out about me. I go over to their house because I feel a great need to check on them, but I feel I endanger them with my presence. I ring the doorbell by the gate and hide with my back against one of the sides. Maybe they won't see me and I won't endanger them more. Tetsuro's smart though and spots me.
He speaks "Sho? I."
"I'm fine." I try to reassure him.
"It's amazing how quickly you've recovered."
Tetsuro's comment brings to the forefront something I've been trying to suppress. At the school yesterday I passed out from losing a rather serious amount of blood, but I'm physically fine now. A human shouldn't be able to recover that fast. Does this mean I'm no longer human? My discomfort shows on my face and Tetsuro tries to reassure me. I do not deserve such a good friend.
"You were injured so badly yesterday. What's going on? Come inside."
I don't dare take his offer. Especially with my thoughts about my healing indicating I'm not human anymore fresh in my mind. I don't want to hurt them. "No, I can't. I just had to check on you and."
"Please don't worry about Mizuki. I told her the whole story, she took it very well." He tries to reassure me, but that's not so much what I'm worried about.
He doesn't. No can't know what it's like to no longer be sure if you have a right to call yourself a human being. A right to even be with them. I care for her but her opinion of me is only part of it. What Derzerb said about killing anyone who knows of me rings in my mind. I don't have a right to be here, I should leave.
"You never know what might happen if I'm around you two. Besides, I have to go check on our friends. Take care I'll call you."
I run. He calls after me but I keep running. Not stopping until I reach a lamppost a few blocks down.
I can't ever go back. How can I protect them from what I am. I remember the previous fights, the incident, how that one choice changed my life. Wait, I can sense zoanoids when I'm the Guyver. If I search the city maybe I can find their base and shut them down. If I just stay on the defensive trying to protect Mizuki and Tetsuro I can't win, but if I hit them first I can destroy them and in the process save Tetsuro and Mizuki.
"GUYVER!!"
I begin to run. Then I remember I can control gravity with the orb at my waist. I should be able to fly and after focussing for a few minutes I am. Flying over the city, scanning the city looking for the zoanoids.
There, that building there. That skyscraper is practically packed solid with zoanoids. It must be it. I fly above it and charge my Megasmasher firing directly down vaporizing a sizable chunk of the building and destroying the basement levels. A few seconds later the remaining parts of the building begin to collapse. Several of it's occupants try to flee but I'm already there blocking their path.
I kill them, these people responsible for the murder of my classmates just to get to me. As I pick up the last one he defiantly tells me this isn't it. Chronos is a worldwide organization with bases everywhere. I slam him into a wall. My breather units eject a visible stream of air.
"Where?"
He seems to lose his confidence and then gain it back. "Relics point. It's under Mount Murakami, they'll stop you Guyver."
"Thank you."
He tries to transform, but I kill this despicable creature before it gets the chance.
---------------------------
"It's Feldspar isn't it?"
"Yes it is, Prince Endymion. What business do you have in the city this time?"
"Beryl's lost her mind. She's raising an army to destroy the Moon Kingdom. You need to reinforce the wall while I warn the Princess."
"It will be done. The Guard's first duty is to protect this city. You've never lied or given any reason to suspect you of lying before. The Princess is likely in the Great Hall, they're having one of their Balls tonight. Godspeed, and I pray you can get them to act."
"Thank you, Feldspar of the Imperial Guard. I wish you luck."
He hurries by through the gate, the Prince of Earth, Heir to the Golden Kingdom Elysion. I pull out my transmitter.
"Control. Prince Endymion has informed us of an impending invasion led by Beryl of all people. We need to close the gates and go to battle alert. Repeat, we need to close the gates and go to battle alert."
"This is control. _Queen Serenity_ has not authorized us to go to battle alert. Doing so might unnecessarily worry the civilians. Stay at your post."
"But if we have troops coming in when need to seal the city and prepare to repel them."
"Negative. Earthers do not have the authority to give orders to the Guard of the Moon Kingdom. You will stay at your post."
I close the connection. The gates must be closed and the city sealed to be able to bring the defensive shields online. If it's left open like this we're practically defenseless. My oath was to protect this city against threats foreign and domestic, this gate must be closed.
I rush the remaining people in and seal the gate, leaving me outside. It doesn't take long for them to show. Thousands strong they march, a black tide against the white lunar landscape. The short amount of time it takes for them to reach the wall and the Main Gate is frightening, but this sort of thing is what we were trained for.
Lady Beryl, who was considered one of the greatest councils and seers in the Solar System and known for her honesty and being one of the most powerful mages not of royal blood, is indeed at the head of the army, flanked by the Shitennou. Their uniforms seem to have been changed but it is definitely those four. They halt and I bring my Blast Stave to the ready.
Jadeite speaks, "They only send one lone guardsmen to their defense? Pathetic."
Beryl or what was once Beryl, for she neither sounds nor exactly looks the same as she once did, was less patient. Commanding her great host, "Kill him and bring down the Gate. The Moon Kingdom falls tonight and that little tramp with it."
I slash and bat at them as they attack trying to fend them off, but they're to many. A clawed hand tears into my back cutting deep. As I wince the rest tear into me before slamming me into the wall as they proceed through the gate, which they've destroyed. The gate that is my duty to guard.
I try to crawl and reach my Blast Stave from where it has fallen, leaving a trail of my life's blood as I go. It's really to late though, they've already flooded in through the gate and began slaughtering the people I was supposed to protect. As the city begins to burn I hear a distraught cry of "Endymion" over the commotion and fighting. Then there's a noise like someone fired some sort of powerful energy attack.
I begin to feel weak as my life's blood continues to flow out of me. Everything's going cold. My vision begins to fade and everything goes dark.
-----------------------
These bases are beginning to put up stiffer resistance, even though they can now only make the most basic of zoanoids. I have to be more careful about clearing them out because of the locations they've began choosing. Soon I'll have deprived Chronos of its ability to raise an army. Then Mizuki, Tetsuro, and everyone else should be safe. They should be in college now working on their degrees. Hard to believe it's only been four years, but then until now I was asleep half the time or spending time eating or keeping my body hydrated. The unit has made it so I no longer have to do such things. I just boost and it's taken care of. Four solid years of constantly throttling Chronos, destroying every base I could find and never stopping.
Two no wait three zoanoids approaching. Time to rid the world of more of their scum.
"Hello Sho."
"Wait Tetsuro, Mizuki, Dad what are you doing here?"
"Son, run leave this place, now. We can't resist much longer."
"Dad no they. but I."
"We're here to kill you Sho. Chronos got us after you left." Tetsuro's voice seemed to change into someone else's, "You've been a great thorn in our side, Guyver. Can you kill your friends?"
They morph and attack me. Skills honed to an instinct dispatch them quickly. I stare down in horror at what I've done as their bodies dissolve. The Overlords will be here soon.
------------------------
I'm shaken awake.
"Sho-san are you alright? Were you having bad dreams again?"
"Yes, memories of the past. I don't know, maybe my unconscious mind thinks if I had done something different it wouldn't have turned out like this. I'm sorry to have worried you. It's bad enough I'm invading upon your home turf."
"It's not a problem, you aren't breaking the ground rules and there's nothing that says I can't have visitors. I enjoy having some company around."
"I don't believe my breaking the ground rules would solve anything. Here, this crystal contains a message and a copy of all of my memories up until now. I leave it to your discretion when they and history learns of it."
"You aren't going to be coming back are you?"
"I've run a thousand scenarios through my mind. I see only one real chance that could work. She cannot succeed otherwise, all the people I slaughtered and things I did will have been for not otherwise. I can't make right what I had to do, but I can insure that it ends. I'm sorry I couldn't do better. I don't want to cause you more pain, but I'm aware of no other way."
----------------------------
The Dark Kingdom was swift in its retaliation. They sent several converted Zoaforms and even some Youma out in response. The Senshi met and fought them, Sho provided assistance but he did not transform.
'My hands are stained black with the blood of innocents, victims of fate who were either unknowingly or unwillingly were changed and sent against me. I was ignorant of the reality of my actions, but ignorance isn't an excuse. Zoaforms were humans many of whom didn't even known they'd been converted and deployed under the absolute power of the Zoalords over their minds.
The army that Beryl led were humans deceived. As were probably the Shitennou and Beryl herself. If the Senshi knew this would they be able to still fight or live with themselves? I'm so filthy with blood already it is only right I should try to minimize who they have to kill to reduce the amount of guilt they feel when they inevitably find out the truth.'
Sho began to have convulsions. 'Not now. Please don't.' Sho dropped the revolver he'd been using to help pick off opponents and knocked off his sunglasses as he clutched his head.
Sailor Moon finished off the last of the Youma and their opponents with the Crescent Moon Wand just as Sho's convulsions began to subside.
Hearing the gun hit the pavement the Senshi turned. Jupiter began to move forward.
"Sho-san are you alright?"
Sho removed his hands from his face and the Senshi noticed there was no longer anything human in Sho's eyes.
Assessing threats, designating target.
It brought up its arm and Sailor Moon was sent into a wall causing a crater from the impact by a barely visible stream of distortion.
"You can't do that. Sailor Venus Kick."
It grabbed Venus' foot in mid air and slammed her into the ground.
"No choice. Fire Soul!"
The flames went and engulfed Sho. It was done they didn't want to do such a thing but they had to. Sho had been a good ally and if you got past the hardened exterior there was a very good person underneath. He himself had been in fear of what would happen if he lost control. Hopefully the flames would purify him enough his troubled soul could rest in peace. Rei said a short prayer.
Something stirred in the flames. This thing in Sho's body walked out of the flames unscathed except for the loss of its clothes. Mars joined Sailor Moon in being sent into a wall.
"Shabon Spray."
It continued walking unaffected by either the drop in temperature or the lowered visibility. Threats remaining. two, eliminate. Mercury went down with a punch to her gut. Jupiter felt his hand close around her throat.
"Sho, you don't want to do this." Jupiter tried to get through to him.
Eliminate all threats.
Jupiter looked into remorseless eyes that showed no hint of compassion. The eyes of a killing machine.
"Sho, I know you're in there. Don't you care about me?" Jupiter tried projecting her emotions towards it.
Eliminate all. NO.
It pulled back letting her go. It clutched its head before it began to scream, a soul wrenching scream that brought to mind a life of full pain, suffering, and loneliness knowing it isn't safe to risk others by associating with them. The scream ended and it collapsed.
"Sho?" Jupiter asked.
As it began to get up Jupiter saw Sho was once more in control although great mental fatigue was in evidence.
"I'm sorry, it almost got full control. Thank you." Sho passed out.
The other senshi began to come around and view the scene. There was just one little problem, they had a over 200 kilogram practically nude boy lying in the street they needed to do something about, but it was so embarrassing.
----------------------
They finally arrived back at the Hikawa shrine.
Rei spoke up, "Ami-san what were you able to find out about the Golden Crystal?"
"Well the Mercury computer says it's a legendary lost crystal that was related to the Kings of Earth. It has not been seen since the early days of the Golden Kingdom. It says it is believed to be held by Elysion's heir for the time when it is most needed."
"Elysion's heir? Do we have any clues on his identity?" Minako asked.
"Well I found this profile for Endymion, who was the heir. It seems I also made notes of his visits with the Moon Princess. Here's the picture."
The Senshi clustered in to look at the screen.
Usagi exclaimed. "But that's."
Makoto interjected, "If he's the Moon Princess's boyfriend then does that mean he's."
----------------------------
Mamoru Chiba had been getting dark portents today. Luckily despite Zoisite finding out his identity he'd managed to stay one step ahead of them. He hadn't been helping the Senshi as much recently as by the time he arrived the fights were usually already over. It was quite odd really, but on the positive side it allowed him more time to study.
As he walked down the street on his normal route he suddenly felt like eyes were watching him.
"Mamoru-san, we would like the Nijizuishou back now, please." Came a voice.
Yes dark portents indeed.
-----------------------
Makoto entered her apartment. They'd eventually ended up using the disguise pen to give Sho some clothes and carrying him with a makeshift stretcher. Makoto had opted for her apartment as a place to let him stay until he regained consciousness.
She found him sitting staring out a window in one of her more boyish outfits. Oh yeah, forgot to get him another set of clothes and the disguise pen left with Usagi. Sho turned around as he heard her approach.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't find anything else and I thought you'd expect me to be here." Sho said softly a resigned tone in his voice.
"It's alright I guess. What were you thinking about?"
Sho turned back to the window.
"Memories. Memories of back when I could call myself human." Sho looked at his hands turning them over and back his look almost as if he expected them to sprout claws. Makoto waited patiently for him to continue.
"I used to be Secretary of the student council at my high school. It wasn't because I enjoyed the work or the position particularly though. There was a girl I liked who was the Vice-President of the student council, but she wasn't interested in me. Her brother was my best friend and I'd known her since I was very young. She was interested in the President of the student council. Everything seems like it was so carefree then." Sho smiled for a moment. "Natsuki and Tetsuro would get into their little fights with each other and I would help them with the Sci-Fi club stuff."
Sho sighed a look tinged with depression on his face.
"Why do you fight?" Sho asked suddenly. "What keeps you going when things take a turn for the worse?"
Makoto was caught off guard.
"I think its friendship."
Sho seemed to nod to space.
"What about you Sho? What keeps you going?"
"A need to protect those people care about, because I am a abysmal failure at protecting those I care about."
Makoto nodded bet kept quiet feeling that Sho needed to get something off his chest.
"And a need to make right what I've done. I fear though it's not meant to be, that I'll be doomed to spend the rest of eternity doing that which I want to make amends for, until something puts me out of my misery."
Sho got quiet as he finished his sentence. From his dejected manner it was quite apparent this was seriously getting to him.
"Isn't there something we could do? Sailor Moon could heal you or the Ginzuishou?"
Sho slowly shook his head back and forth.
"Isn't that simple, it has slowly adapted and integrated itself doing this to me. It's not the type of thing you can wave a wand and make it just disappear."
"Isn't there a way?" Makoto inquired.
"Life arises from star seeds. My star seed is the only thing it can't alter. If I was resurrected from my Star Seed then I might be free of its effects." Sho's tone will still one of dejection.
Makoto pondered this for a moment.
"Do you care about me, Sho?"
Sho seemed to stare off pondering his answer. Makoto was just beginning to wonder if he would answer when he did very quietly.
"Yes, very much. You're a good person and that's part of what allows me to keep going. I don't deserve your kindness."
Makoto glanced at her watch.
"Sho we need to get moving, they're waiting for us."
Sho got up.
"Aptom's found out the exact location of the last Nijizuishou in Chronos hands. There's some stuff I have in storage we need to retrieve, want to help?"
"Okay."
-----------------------
They gathered at the Hikawa shrine. The girls had brought along a friend one, Mamoru Chiba. Sho addressed him as Endymion, Prince of Earth and Heir to the Golden Kingdom of Elysion before they introduced him.
"How did you know that", Rei asked.
"Well dignitaries sometimes used the Imperial Guard as heralds and we were trained to know the most important people on sight so they weren't hassled going through the gates." Sho responded.
"I see."
"We got Tuxedo Kamen's Nijizuishou." Usagi announced.
Really she'd been quite persistent about holding on to them herself. Mamoru had been forced to cave in rather quickly.
Makoto brought in a tray of fresh baked cookies, of which the girls and their prisoner partook.
Minako asked a question, "I'm curious Sho what exactly were you doing for the past eight years?"
"I found this unit by accident and Chronos began attacking me and my friends to get it. After they were so bold as to attack my school and show they could cover up even that I realized if I just stayed on the defensive nothing would change and more people would die. So I went and found their local base and leveled it to the ground and from the survivors I found out where the next closest base was, a place called Relics Point and I wrecked it. I kept doing that for four years. During that time I found eventually if I boosted I didn't need to eat, drink, or sleep and could continue my assault against Chronos continuously going from location to location, base to base. I caused most of their research to be lost and didn't give them a chance to rebuild the data from what I left.
Then four years ago I met a man named Murakami and realized there was more to Chronos's plan then I thought. My time of large assaults on bases pretty much ended then. Infecting Chronos' computer systems with viruses that would alter the data or delete it so their zoanoid production would be hampered became the norm. Assassinating the creatures they had gotten into key places so there was no chance of launching X-day. Murakami taught me most of the tricks I know. He died when we took down Overlord Guyot about two years ago and I met Aptom soon after. Apparently we'd left stuff intact enough Valkus had been able to modify him to make him better then he was originally, but that had also freed him from the Overlords control. Around that time was when I stopped and began to realize just how much of my humanity I had lost."
"What happened to your friends?" Ami asked.
"Chronos got them. They died four years ago."
"That's sad, Sho-san."
"Can I have attention please? Thank you. The last Nijizuishou is located on the Island of Silha. This island has considerable defenses and is almost impossible to approach normally. This is also the personal residence of Lord Archanfel, the most powerful of the Chronos Overlords. Towards the end of the Advent's experiments on this planet a few million years ago you could say he was the cumulation of their work here. He was to be the ruler of Earth and the army they created here with their experiments, which were the zoanoids. The Advent left shortly after a test involving a human and a unit identical to the one I'm bonded with. It is assumed their reason for leaving was connected with their inability to control this experiment. Archanfel is said to have annihilated a moon when the Advent left. His powers are not to be underestimated.
Aptom was able to find the exact location the crystal is being stored. If you look at this map the main temple here is the building we have to sneak into. Silha is well defended and we don't want to face its lord right now, this is a raid we get in and then we get out. I'll direct the teleport to get us where we need to be, and once we snatch it I'll direct us to a safe exit point, from which we can hopefully lose any tail we may pick up. Any questions?"
Ami raised her hand, "Excuse me but what has Archanfel been doing for the past several millions years?"
"Hibernating mostly from what I could find out. Historically a respectable civilization arose about a hundred thousand years after the Advent left and set up colonies on Venus, Mars, and the Jovian moons. A scientific outpost was set up on Mercury to study the Sun from appearances. The ships they used for Mercury weren't really right for pure colonization efforts. The remaining Advent bioengineering equipment they apparently discovered in addition to some beginnings in magic allowed them to make it so they could survive in their new environments. According to the ships it would appear these came into some sort of conflict which was devastating enough it destroyed their ability to leave their planets and resulted in when this ability was reestablished none of them recognized they shared a common origin. A lot of other stuff happened before the Silver Millenium was established including sending out colony ships to other systems to colonize them, aliens coming in fleeing something or exploring. Conversely after the Silver Millenium ended, the ships aren't sure what happened exactly, but an almost ridiculously devastating war broke out. We're not sure why exactly Earth was the only one to manage to have some survivors, but it may have to do with the unaccounted for Golden Kingdom of Elysion."
Ami spoke up again, "Ships? What ships are you referring to Aikawa-san?"
"When the Advent left several of their ships were left behind. Those that managed to find an energy source have monitored the goings on in this system with their rather advanced sensors. I've communicated with some of these ships and they sort of downloaded their memory databanks to me. Although I didn't recognize it as more then a short image based message at first. If they hadn't shut down as much as they did, I'd be able to tell you about things happening outside the system."
Minako spoke up, "What about those Soldiers of the Outer Planets you were talking about? Could we bring them in on this?"
"No, even though one of the previous Queens to Tsukino-san's mother stripped the Soldiers of the Outer Planets of their Royal Guard complement they still have to stay at their assigned posts, alone in the night against outside threats. Even if they're all still alive they cannot break their vows and help us, as to do so would mean abandoning their posts. They are more powerful then you are as scouts, but Serenity made them swear to stay at their posts. They aren't even supposed to really contact or be with one and another."
Luna commented, "I'm pretty sure they're just legends anyway."
"It's telling that a member of Serenity's court holds the protectors that selflessly protect the Solar System in such low regard as to consider them mere legends. It makes one wonder if there may have been other reasons they were put out there alone and divided."
"I beg your pardon! What exactly are you implying?"
"Nothing, Nothing at all. I wouldn't dare to imply certain members of the court, or even the Queen herself, feared a challenge to their power or authority, not at all."
"You should know your place."
Sho just stared at her a few minutes and Luna backed down.
"Excuse me, but is this going to be like your last mission where we just get dragged along to watch, or do we actually do something this time?" Rei asked.
"Neither me or Aptom could get into Silha normally without setting off the alarms, and having to contend with the defenses. They're too familiar with what we can do. You're Sailor Teleport however represents something that the defenses never took into account. Something they haven't seen before. That should allow us to get in and snatch the crystal before they realize we're there. How many do we actually need to teleport?"
Artemis spoke up, "The Guardians of the Princess have the capacity to use the Sailor Teleport without the Princess. Otherwise without using an established network you need all of them."
"Thank you, Tsukino-san you're staying here."
"What? Why? Why do I have to stay behind?"
"Someone needs to hold on to the Nijizuishou until we get back. Between you and Endymion-kyou they should be in good hands."
Sho dug out all the Nijizuishou he had been holding to date and handed them over.
"Okay for the rest of you I obtained some jungle camouflage coveralls. They're in the box over there. If you want to transform and put those on over your Sailor Senshi uniforms that would be preferable. The bandannas in there will allow you to cover up those tiaras so they don't give us away prematurely due to light being reflected off them. Also we're going into a hot rather humid area so they'll help keep you comfortable."
---------------------------------------
They found themselves on a rather hot and humid island in some jungle landscape. A Tyrannosaurus Rex was in the process of feeding not 200 meters away. Venus opened her mouth, only to have a hand clamp down on it.
"Don't scream. Don't talk. We don't want to draw its attention." Sho whispered in her ear. "Do you understand?"
Venus nodded.
"Follow me."
Sho gestured for the others to follow, which forced them out of their shocked states. A dinosaur wasn't exactly something one saw everyday, especially a living breathing one that could have you for lunch.
They traveled through the jungle crouched down trying to blend in. Slowly moving forward and occasionally stopping at Sho's signal. Everyone in the group realized they were in dangerous territory here and as Sho seemed to know what he was doing no one questioned his authority.
Eventually they came to a grassland area where a temple stood, identical to the one in the drawings Sho had shown them. It looked rather Mayan in it design inspiration. Sho gestured at Mercury, tapped the side of his head, and pointed at them temple. She realized he wanted her to use the visor function of her computer to scan the temple.
"There's two." She had a hand clamped over her mouth.
"Quietly." Sho whispered.
"There's two sentries there and there and some other readings in the temple itself but nothing to indicate the creature you were talking about is home." She whispered back.
"Good, that agrees with my assessment. Do any of you have an attack you could use to snipe one of them?" Sho whispered.
Venus gestured at herself. "My Crescent Beam should do the trick. What do you want me to do?"
"Sneak up as close as you safely feel you can and take out the one on the left when I drop the one on the right. Everybody else proceed forward when we take them out."
Sho was off disappearing into the underbrush. Venus followed forced to give herself an impromptu crash course on the low crawl. She thought she made a good student.
As she approached she was able to more clearly make out the creature's guarding the main entrance. They were big green lizards with some form of big spike coming out of their foreheads with other little spikes. She decided to mentally dub them G-chans. They did afterall fit the description of what the others had referred to by that name when she'd asked about it.
She spotted Sho on the far side of the temple. He made a leap up to the upper level no human should be capable of, but what was most unnerving about it is he made no noise in the process. He also seemed to be coming down really slow, but maybe that was just a figment of her imagination. Sho snuck around the side of the temple. Venus began prepping her Crescent beam. Sho grabbed the G-chan's head for behind and snapped its neck. Venus hit the other one in the head with a Crescent Beam.
The rest of the group proceeded forward to the entrance. Sho gestured for them to follow him inside as the G-chans dissolved in the hot sun. They followed Sho as he began to navigate the corridors passing an odd chamber in the process. Eventually they came to an entrance where Sho stopped and slowly peeked around the corner. With his hand he gestured indicating two.
They came around the corner, two crustacean looking creatures with three hose like things attached to their head and three fingered claw hands with what looked like a cluster of crystals grouped around where their wrists should be stood guarding a glass box containing the indigo Nijizuishou. Something clicked in Jupiter's mind from when she'd previously seen Sho in action. She brought he hands together in front of her palms facing towards each other. A barely visible sphere appeared distinguishable only by the shadowy distortion at its edges. She pulled her hands apart lightning crackling between them charging. She brought them closer together and projected it at her target.
"Sparkling Pressure Crash."
The creature on the left went down with a large hole where its chest cavity used to be. The one on the right was frozen in a block of ice by Mercury's Shine Aqua Illusion. Sho rushed forward and shattered the glass case taking the last Nijizuishou out of its case. Alarms began going off.
"Okay we got what we came here for. Prepare for a Sailor Teleport."
----------------------------------
They arrived back at the Hikawa shrine after landing in another part of town. Sho had stated they needed to throw off anyone who might possibly be able to follow them when questioned why he didn't just direct the teleport back to the shrine. Sho had managed to arrange for Aptom to show up and was standing at the bottom of the steps leading to the shrine conversing with him.
"So what's the deal?"
"We have all seven now, all they need to do is get them to reunite. The Overlords know about the legend of the Moon Kingdom and that her mother died when she tried to use the Ginzuishou's power to vanquish Metaria. If they detect that Metaria's gone I expect they'll show up in force within the hour or so it would take them to respond to recover it. When they expect her to either be weak and vulnerable, or dead. Especially now they now we have all the pieces they can account for."
"You're really intending to go through with that crazy plan of yours aren't you? I ought to kill you now before you deny me the ability to do so."
"You have a better plan to take them out?"
"No, but I still think you're nuts. If your going through with this didn't help insure my own survival so much you would be dead right now."
---------------------------------------
Inside the shrine the Senshi were having a conversation of their own.
Ami began speaking, "You know how we keep hearing others refer to Sho-san as Fukamachi? Well I did a search. Fukamachi isn't exactly an uncommon name, but when I narrowed it down to Sho Fukamachi I found this."
The screen brought up a death certificate for one Sho Fukamachi, dated eight years ago.
"When I searched on that date and papers around that time I brought up this incident where a school was said to have been hit by a terrorist attack. The school records have a picture of our Sho under the name Sho Fukamachi. He was a High School Junior at the time. His father Fumio Fukamachi and close friends the Segawas both disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The class President, Agito Makashima disappeared for several weeks before showing up again after this attack."
Makoto spoke up, "Who is this Makashima guy?"
"His father apparently gave him to his uncle to pay for some sort of debt. The uncle was supposed to own a company called Max Pharmaceuticals, which was destroyed the night after the terrorist attack on the school. The destruction of the building also had some mysterious stuff about it. What's odd is someone else apparently came in and provided for Makashima even though his uncle's and father's companies no longer existed."
"Do you think that Max Pharmaceutical may have been that Chronos base Sho-san was talking about? The one he destroyed the day after his school was attacked? That could mean Makashima is or was working for Chronos." Minako piped in.
"On the other hand he could have been unaware of who his uncle's company was working for." Makoto mentioned.
"So what happened with Makashima?" Rei asked.
"I really wasn't able to find much more information on him. Sorry, guys."
-----------------------------------------
The Senshi, the heir to the Golden Kingdom, Aptom, and Sho had all congregated in one room of the Hikawa shrine. Rei's grandfather had been quite curious at so many people showing up. He had begun asking questions when several teenage girls just happened to arrive and start asking around.
Sho spoke up, "Aptom you're a miracle worker."
"Just chalk it up as another thing you owe me for, Fukamachi."
Rei got a weird look on her face. This man with the big scar on half his face was Aptom, but were they implying those girls were also.
"I told you not to ask for a reason." Sho commented.
Sho handed over the last of the Nijizuishou, the indigo crystal they had obtained from the island of Silha. They put all of them in on the table in the center of the room where they hovered with no visible sign of support.
Usagi spoke up, "So what do we do now?"
Luna spoke up, "I'm not sure."
"I know it's got to be like a puzzle." Minako said. She proceeded to try and fit the various crystals together. "Anyone have any glue?"
The group sweatdropped.
Ami pulled out her computer. "The readings indicate they are presently in a state of magical static equilibrium."
"Which means?" Rei inquired.
"That unless a certain specific force is applied they're just going to stay seven separate Nijizuishou instead of turning into one Ginzuishou." Sho answered.
Artemis walked over to the table and putting his paws on the edge asked, "Do you mind if I look at that Ami-san?"
"No, go ahead Artemis."
Artemis jumped up on the table and began manipulating the Mercury computer's keyboard. "I see."
"What?" Was the reply.
"The Princess needs to exert her will on the Nijizuishou with sufficient force to make them turn back into the Ginzuishou."
"How would you suggest we do that?" Sho asked.
Looking at Usagi who had wandered off and was reading one of Rei's manga Artemis replied, "No idea."
Rei snatched back her manga. "Why don't you pay attention, meatball head. This is serious."
"Rei-chan you're so mean."
"If you'd just pay attention when you're supposed to I wouldn't have to be."
"You seem to be taking this rather calmly." Mamoru commented.
"Our attempts to get those two to stop haven't been as successful as we would have hoped." Ami commented.
"In short they do this all the time and you've grown apathetic to it. Am I wrong?" Aptom stated.
"Not really," was Sho's reply.
"Hey come on you two. We don't have time for this." Makato put the two of them in a headlock after their quarrel had devolved into sticking out their tongues at each other.
"Whoa. Whoa, Luna what was that place you were thinking of just right now when you were being exasperated at how immature Tsukino-san acts in relation to the Queen?" Sho asked.
"Huh? Why where you reading my mind?"
Artemis spoke up, "That's it, the prayer tower. That should allow her to focus her will enough to cause the Ginzuishou to reform."
Song trickled in from outside in a girl's voice. "Fly me to the moon."
Another girl's voice joined in, "And let me play among the stars."
Yet a third girls voice joined in with the others, "Let me see what life is like on Jupiter and Mars."
They peeked out to see the group of teenage schoolgirls singing.
"In other words hold my hand."
"Aptom." Rei's voice had a certain edge to it.
"What? It's keeping the old man happy isn't it?" was the reply.
------------------------------------------------
Rei's grandfather had been sad to see the group of 'schoolgirls' go, they been so attentive. He would have probably been significantly more distressed if he had known they merged with the Aptom that had been inside shortly after they left, and the group had left the shrine. As a matter of fact everyone but Aptom and Sho seemed to be on their way to being physically ill for having seen the spectacle.
The Senshi rushed off to transform in a little less public place.
Mamoru spoke up, "So you and they were both."
"Don't ask. I might be in the mood to tell you." Sho responded.
Mamoru nodded and kept quiet.
"Oh come on it'll only warp your mind." Aptom said.
"You told me and I know he doesn't want to know." Sho said.
"You and your hocus pocus mind reading powers."
"Gentlemen?" Mamoru interrupted.
"Where?" Aptom asked.
"I think that's enough tormenting the poor guy, Aptom. Besides which the Sailor Senshi are almost back."
As the Senshi approached Mamoru transformed into Tuxedo Kamen. It was a rather quick no nonsense affair. One minute he was there in his normal clothes the next he was in a tuxedo with mask and everything else.
"So whose hand do I get to hold?" Aptom asked.
The Senshi had a collective look of distaste.
"I guess I'll do it." Tuxedo Kamen answered.
Mars and Moon were by his side clutching an arm each almost before he realized it.
"You don't need to hold _his_ hand. You can hold _mine." It was debatable which was more eerie they're saying that together or the look they shot Aptom.
"You can stand in the center with us." Artemis commented to Aptom.
"Everyone in position." Commanded Luna.
"Guard Power."
"Mercury Power."
"Venus Power."
"Mars Power."
"Jupiter Power."
"Moon Prism Power."
"Sailor Teleport!"
-------------------------------------
"So Artemis can you direct us to the local equivalent of the Holiest of Holies or do we need to search around the Palace's foundation to find it?" Sho inquired.
"I know the way, I think." Answered Artemis.
They walked through the ruins of the Moon Kingdom, proceeding to the ruins of the Moon Palace. Once there Artemis led them around. He had to double back once or twice, but he got them there. A small crystal spire about seventy centimeters tall stood at the center of a circular room.
"Here it is." Artemis said.
"Can I borrow the Nijizuishou for a moment?" Sho asked.
"What are you going to use them for?" Sailor Moon asked.
"I have a theory."
Sailor Moon looked uncertain but handed the crystals over. Sho dusted off two circles one inside the other. He arranged the yellow, red, blue, and green Nijizuishou as they were on Sailor Moon's broach in the inner circle. He then went and put the remaining orange, purple, and indigo Nijizuishou on the outer circle.
"What was that supposed to do?" Mars inquired.
"It's symbolic. Those four inner ones represent you the Guardians of the Princess. I already told you who corresponds to what. The orange, indigo, and purple correspond to Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto respectively of the Soldiers of the Outer Planets. It might be related to how the Queen was able to break the Ginzuishou down like that in the first place. It's just a guess, but it can't hurt." Sho responded.
"Is there a Sailor Saturn?" Mercury asked.
"From what I remember she's supposed to have been special in some way. From the implications it isn't surprising she isn't represented here."
"So what do I do?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Sit here and pray for the Nijizuishou to reform into the Ginzuishou. Pray to be able to save your friends." Artemis instructed.
Sailor Moon complied.
The Nijizuishou gained altitude and began circling around Sailor Moon's head. The look on her face changed to one of concentration and her eyes closed. The Nijizuishou began to lose their crystalline shape and resemble colored blobs of goo. They then began to turn into beams of light before simultaneously hitting the crystal spire.
A large multi-faceted clear crystal, materialized over the spire. Sailor Moon's fuku turned into a elegant white dress.
Aptom looked on in indifference as the others seemed to go into reveries.
Sho began to go into spasms, which threw him out of his reverie. It took him a few minutes to cause it to subside. He grabbed Endymion and shook him.
"Where is Elysion?"
"Huh? Elysion? Why do you need to know where Elysion is?"
"Everything points to the Dark Kingdom's headquarters being at your palace in Elysion. Now please give me the coordinates."
------------------------------------------
The teleport was suddenly disrupted dropping us out over the snow. I'm not surprised a kingdom like Elysion should have some decent defenses. This shows beyond a doubt that someone's home, just as I thought.
"What happened?" asks Venus.
"My guess would be that the palace defenses include a teleport inhibition system that will stop all unauthorized intruders from just teleporting in directly." I say.
Interesting. Those energy patterns resemble, yes they are. Seems we are expected.
"We've go company." I state.
An army phases into place, surrounding our group in solid ranks for as far as they could see. A numberless horde, okay fine my senses know how many. A solid mix of constructs, converted Zoaforms, and great just great they actually got some of the original force once more deployed here. I was hoping they wouldn't show up. The conversion process on the Zoaforms destroys their minds, but the other I was hoping I could save them.
"Welcome to the Dark Kingdom, Sailor Senshi. I hope you enjoy our welcome." Came a voice from above.
"Agito Makashima, higher up in Chronos. Now Dark Kingdom lackey boy." Aptom comments.
It's not so much I haven't noticed him already. I can read a human's mind by now another Guyver's is almost an open book. So you were the last host Makashima and you were the one who behind the one who stole the units. Well look at that, you were at Chronos Japan when I leveled it. Playing both sides against the middle to attain your dreams of power, Agito you sicken me. I think I'll block off reading your mind.
Let's see, the inhibition system is set up to. Okay, we got a chance then, but if we all go we'll end up right back where we started when they follow.
"AKA Guyver 3. The inhibitors appear to just not let you teleport there directly. Get out of here. I'll hold them off." I comment.
"You're here, Fukamachi? That is convenient." I ignore Agito.
"You can't fight this many, Sho-san." Jupiter exclaims.
Predictor agrees with you.
"If you waste your strength here on them you won't have it when you need it later. My part in this is over, yours is yet to come." I try to reassure her.
I know how you feel Makoto-san, but I'm afraid it just isn't going to work out that way.
Sailor Moon speaks up, "No, we don't leave our friends behind. We're staying here."
Honorable sentiment, I'm afraid an exception has to be made this time.
"If that is your decision."
I send them away. Even if it literally rips my innards up to do it they'll be safe. I activate the Teleport Inhibitors I brought along. I thought something like this might happen. With a barely audible click the entire rig of fifteen inhibitors comes online, they're going nowhere. No need to be sneaky about deploying them this time.
Well Makashima I guess it is true what I had thought if you are still that human now. I brought this upon myself. Of course, you haven't used yours virtually at all.
"You think you can defeat me by yourself Fukamachi? I think you overestimate your power."
No, you underestimate what I've become since we last saw each other eight years ago. So here we are again the massive horde verse just me, must be fate. This time I have a new trick though. I slowly look around, might as well get one last good look. I won't be seeing any of this ever again. The modification to insure Metaria goes down requires me to sacrifice my Star Seed with everything else. No being brought back this time.
"Nothing to say to your old classmate?"
I'm sorry, Makoto-san. Sorry I'm not smarter, I couldn't find another way. Sorry, I got so close to you, because your such a beautiful person inside that I felt drawn to you. I could feel through you things I've lost and wished I could have experienced. Please excuse my selfishness. In the end all I've done is once again cause a person unnecessary pain.
I feel a tear begin to trickle down my face. Well this is it.
I look up at Agito and address him, "Goodbye."
--------------------------
I find myself standing on an empty area of snow. As I look around I see the others, but Sho is gone. There isn't any sign of the horde that had surrounded us before, white snow from horizon to horizon far as the eye can see totally unblemished.
"How did we get here?" I exclaim as the others try to get their bearings. Aptom seems rather casual about this.
"I'd expect Sho transported us over here." Aptom states matter of factly.
"What!? Take us back!" I demand. Sho can't hold off that many on his own even as strong as he is. We have to help him! I.
"Hyperspatial maneuvers are his specialty, not mine. For him to send this many across though. Knowing him he's taken measures to insure you couldn't go back there." Aptom nonchalantly states. How can he be so calm about this?!
"But why?" I demand.
"He feels it is the only way to save you. He also probably thinks it might atone for what he considers his crimes."
Sho you. You didn't have to do this. Are you trying to be a hero? What about us.
I'm sorry, Makoto-san. Sorry I'm not smarter, I couldn't find another way. Sorry, I got so close to you, because your such a beautiful person inside that I felt drawn to you. I could feel through you things I've lost and wished I could have experienced. Please excuse my selfishness. In the end all I've done is once again cause a person unnecessary pain.
That was Sho's voice in my head. Sho I'm sure you can hear me, please don't go.
A little white light appears on the horizon, with frightening speed it begins eating up the distance coming towards us. RUN!
We begin running as fast as our legs can carry us. Moon ends up stubling but I scoop her up and keep on going. I know it's still growing. Hey where's Aptom? I look over my shoulder to see Aptom calmly standing where we were.
"What are you doing? Run!" I yell at him.
The giant sphere of energy continues to eat up the ground at a frightening pace. Then it stops, several hundred meters from where we were standing.
"Have to give the kid credit." Aptom nonchalantly comments while glancing at the giant apparently static fireball. I unconsciously end up turning around and I hear the others stop.
"Mercury, what's going on?" Moon asks.
"I'm not sure. I've never seen readings like these. The Mercury computer isn't able to tell me much except it's very powerful and something is. separating us from it."
"Is it just sitting there?" Mars asks.
"No, the power keeps increasing. Why it's acting like that I don't know. My computer isn't able to process half these readings."
The massive sphere of energy vanishes. The next thing we knew we were airborne being ripped by an unyielding wind into a truly massive crater. I feel something snake around my waist.
I follow the tentacle and see Aptom. He's now in some monster form and has grabbed everyone else with tentacles trying to keep them from being blown away by the wind. It's amazing he isn't being blown away himself.
Abruptly the wind gives out and we crash into the snow over the edge of the crater. We're all brought up. As we climb over the edge I inquire how Aptom was able to avoid being pulled in himself.
"I made like a tree and grew roots."
I suppose I shouldn't expect a normal response from him. As I look up I see a structure looming behind him. Something that was definitely not there a few minutes ago.
-------------------------
They entered the palace of the Dark Kingdom, formerly of the Golden Kingdom. They weren't sure what to expect after that particular fireworks display Sho had put on outside. As they wandered further in they found something they most certainly did not expect.
A woman with long dark hair came running up crying before stopping in front of Sailor Moon and glomping on to her.
"I'm so sorry, <sob> Princess Serenity. I let my <sob> jealousy at you over Endymion control me to the point that thing was able to take me over. I destroyed your kingdom and killed everyone. I didn't mean for it to ever go that far. I only wanted to be with Endymion-sama."
"Uhm who are you?" Mars asked.
The women backed off Usagi and took on a reserved air.
"My name? I was. Beryl, just Beryl. No title, no inheritance, just the talent I was borne with and my reputation." Beryl answered dejectedly.
This caused a mixed reaction. This certainly didn't seem to be a violent person like Queen Serenity had described, just a normal person who had been trying to make their way on their own merits. She sounded as much of a victim as anything else. This had to be a trap of some sort. Yes, after all only someone truly evil would have destroyed their peaceful lives in the Moon Kingdom.
Three more familiar figures approached. The Senshi's first reaction was to begin prepping their attacks, but this and their train of thought was abruptly halted when they proceeded to bow to Endymion. They also began to note their uniforms were now different. Gone were the black uniforms they had worn. In their place were white uniform jackets with some form of gold trim, brown pants, a dark cape, armored leg guards, and a sword by their sides.
"Master, we've found you at last. We were under the influence of Queen Metaria, but we're free now. We the Shitennou beg you to allow us once more into your service."
Aptom spoke up, "Looks like Sho's 'brilliant' plan actually worked."
"What plan?" Mercury inquired.
"He had this entire thing figured out since he returned from the Moon. He had been developing an attack that would allow him to defeat Archanfel before he met you. When he realized what had happened with the history of the Moon Kingdom his came up with this idea he could use it on Metaria and free them. He also thought even if you managed to take down Metaria considering the difficulty your mother had with her you would be vulnerable at that point. Something he thought the Overlords would also think."
"Attack? What? You mean that thing outside? But how did." Rei asked.
"As he explained it to me it is based around him disengaging the safety limiter on the dimensional control unit in his Control Medal. He then said he'd gather as much energy as possible then bump it through hyperspace at a target. That is then like a pebble rolled down a snowy mountain that because a boulder sized snowball as it is sent through hyperspace against its target in a way that according to him would only affect that one target. The price for this was he'd completely cease to exist, controlling the overload of energy only being barely possible due to his oneness with the unit by now. I frankly didn't believe it would work, but I guess it did. Oh that reminds me he wanted me to warn you the Overlords should be here within the hour."
Author's Note: If you were wondering why there was no evidence of Enzyme type in this fic as you see Chronos Japan gets leveled while the prototype was still in development. Before the information would have been sent on and Relics Point the likely place there would be a back up got trashed.
Sho made copy of his memories and gave them to Pluto because at that point Guyver 3's status and who he is, is uncertain. Thus he as the only evident controller is the only one who could access the Advent systems and their memory. A complete record of transmissions, movements, and such of the Solar System from when the Advent entered system to basically now is something that holds great historical value. Except for backing up his memories to something else this information would be lost with him.
In manga Luna does state she thought the Soldiers of the Outer Planets were legends when she found out they were real. That's where I'm getting that if you want to know.
Yes, Pluto doesn't wear any purple or anything otherwise to indicate purple relates to her. Dead Scream in Anime however is depicted as being purple. So because Saturn isn't exactly active duty and her power to destroy the world is special she's not represented.
As for why they had a little difficulty getting them back together. Well canonically it required a rather traumatic occurrence to cause Usagi to do it and we have no traumatic experience. So time for ritual magic.
Why aren't they suffering windburn or something like that? Well we've had the Senshi engulfed in flame, pelted by what appear to be multiple machineguns, and survive direct hits from big energy blasts in the S season of anime. So having them relatively unscathed by the air rushing back in didn't seem to be a real big stretch.
What's with the structure just fading into view? Well the Golden Kingdom's connection with Earth had to be a very real thing. So I think Metaria might be sucking off the Palace's power systems which cause the Dark Kingdom to be more in limbo and not aligned with Earth. So if she went bye bye, the power systems would start working properly again and once more align properly with Earth. If it has to due with her seal then she's gone no more interference and same result. The Ginzuishou in manga caused it to realign with Earth again, why or how wasn't clear. Not the most canonical basis, but canon isn't very clear on how it works. If you have some insight into this you could share with me please don't hesitate to inform me.
Credit to YoungGuyver for helping me with refinement work for this entire fic. Thank you for your competent help it was greatly appreciated.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and will read the epilogue.
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