undefined
Just so you know, this chapter basically sets the stage for the next chapter. It is a little weak on plot and kinda boring, but I’ve been having trouble with this one for a while now.
Luna walked down the stairs under the Sailor V video game into the Control Center. She jumped up onto the chair and opened a communication link to Sailor Pluto through the computer.
“Yes Luna? What’s the report?” Setsuna asked calmly.
“I have found Sailor Mars! Hino Rei is safe,” Luna reported to Setsuna.
“Good work. Have you found any of the others?” Pluto asked.
“I’m working on it. I’ll get back to you as soon as I know something,” Luna said. She paused, then asked, “Why can’t you tell me who they Scouts are?”
“Because I won’t know for sure until I meet them. Using Central’s system will take the guesswork out of it. And besides, I’m training Venus and Jupiter. You’re going to have to stick this one out,” Setsuna said. “Sorry I can’t be of more help.”
“It’s okay. I’ll be in contact.” Luna closed the link and quickly brought up the search program that she had left running. Not expecting much, she waited for the program to show its results. She nearly fell backward when at least a dozen points blinked up on the screen.
“Ack! How many points are there?!” After a few seconds of wonder, she decided to group the points by concentration of Silver Crystal power. “If I do it this way… The Sanc Kingdom? I should have guessed…” She noted that the power readings from the capitol of the Sanc Kingdom were several times larger than any of the other points. “Wait, what’s this?” Luna looked quizzically at the screen as she watched a small point come speeding through space to Earth.
“Let’s track this one…” Luna decided to herself. She used one of the main computer’s tracking programs to determine what the object was, where it was going and where it was from. “It’s a small, two-man shuttle. Hmmm… That means it’s not commercial. It appears to be coming from Mars and headed to…” Luna gasped and then rolled her eyes as she ran the destination through her mind. Of course… It would be… “The Sanc Kingdom.” She decided that it might be time to pay this place a visit.
Luna was just about to leave when the shuttle’s blink suddenly disappeared. Uh oh… I better contact Pluto… Luna punched the comm. button and Pluto’s face appeared. “There’s something going on…”
* * *
Noin had felt the blast before she had seen it. A wave of energy had ripped through the shuttle and knocked out its engines. The world quickly phased out and Noin was surrounded by darkness. The last thing she could remember screaming was a name… Milliardo…
Noin slowly realized that her consciousness had returned and she tried to keep her body from moving too much. To her surprise, she seemed unbound and able to move. Groping around her, her hand fell on something warm but firm. She looked at where her hand lay and found it resting comfortably on a familiar body. At least Milliardo is here with me, she thought with relief.
“Not now… I’m still tired…” Milliardo groaned out. He’s obviously disoriented, Noin thought to herself.
“No Milliardo!” she whispered to him. “We’ve been captured!”
Milliardo quickly looked around him and realized that they had indeed been taken prisoner. The whole cell seemed to be made out of black rock. There were no benches or cots, and upon a second look, no door either.
“We’re in trouble aren’t we?” Noin asked.
“I think so.”
As they stood up, part of the cell opened and a tall man in black armor stepped into the cell. “The Queen demands your presence,” he growled. He punched Milliardo in the gut and then grabbed Noin by the hair and began dragging her out of the cell. Milliardo recovered and kicked him behind the knees, then grabbed Noin and put her behind him, keeping himself between her and the intruder.
“I will not tolerate disobedience!” the man growled. He raised up his hands and blasted both with bright green bolts of lightening. “Now get up and march!” he shouted.
Noin and Milliardo stumbled to their feet and walked out of the cell into a long hall. The man took up a position behind them and forced them down the dimly lit hallway towards a set of double doors at one end. Noin looked at Milliardo for a moment as they walked and their eyes caught. Neither had any hope in their faces and Noin returned her gaze to the ground. Once they had reached the door, the man stepped in front and pushed it open, then pulled the two soldiers forward. The room they entered looked like a huge cathedral made entirely of black rock. However, the only thing that was in the entire room was a huge throne set against the far wall. On one side of the throne was a woman, clad in a skin-tight black leotard. On the other was a man who wore black armor like the one escorting Milliardo and Noin, although the armor seemed lighter. Seated on the throne was a small woman dressed in a simple blue robe. Her dark hair flowed around her and nearly reached the ground. She smiled as the two soldiers were pushed into the room and forced in front of her.
“You’ve done well, Falon,” the woman on the throne said as she stood.
“Thank you, my Queen,” Falon replied, kneeling.
“So these are the Knight and Senshi of Mercury eh? Not much,” the Queen scoffed as she held Noin’s face in her hand. “Take care of them Malore,” she ordered.
“With pleasure!” the man next to the throne said. He raised his right hand above his head and a staff flashed into existence, which he lowered and pointed at Milliardo. A huge ball of flame erupted from the end of the staff that hurtled through the air. But before anyone could even blink, Noin threw herself into the path of the fire, block Milliardo and taking the blow.
“LUCREZIA!” Milliardo screamed. As Noin’s body hit the ground, her forehead opened and a glittering little gem popped out.
“The Star Seed!” Malore exclaimed.
“Milliardo…” Noin whispered, trying to touch her beloved’s face.
“Don’t speak! Just hold on!” Milliardo said, trying to hush Noin as he cradled her head in his lap. Noin started to fade out of existence as the little gem sparkled above her. Her face shifted slowly and she became someone entirely different.
“Kill him! Kill him before he gets the Star Seed!” the Queen screamed. Malore raised his staff and fired again, but the little gem flashed and the attack dissipated. Noin’s eyes glazed over and closed, then her body disappeared completely. The Star Seed flashed again and Milliardo too disappeared. The shriek from the Queen could be heard for miles.
* * *
Luna wandered the palace of the Sanc Kingdom, looking for the energy she had found in her search. She walked through the halls, making sure to stay out of sight until she found the targets Central had brought up. The day had passed by and she hadn’t seen the woman she was after even once. This is getting pointless. Maybe I should go back and check to make sure I’m looking for the right person, Luna thought as she walked down another corridor. She was just about to find the exit when she heard a woman’s voice.
“Are you sure they haven’t arrived yet?” Luna immediately recognized the voice as that of Relena Darlian, the Queen of the World.
“They haven’t Miss Relena. I haven’t heard Noin or Milliardo,” another woman said in reply. The voice was electronic, indicating that two women were having a phone conversation.
“They were supposed to be here several hours ago. I haven’t heard anything on the Mars Terra Forming project in a while. Have you?”
“Not in a few months. It’s not like them to be late.”
“Yes, I know.” A shout from down the hall startled Luna and she heard Relena sigh. “Lady Une, I have to go. Dinner is about to be served.”
“Alright. Have a good night.”
“Bye.” Relena ended the conversation and left the room.
Noin? That was the name of the woman I’m looking for. So she’s missing is she? That can’t be good… Luna thought. She decided that it would be best if she stayed in the palace for the night, just to be sure. Dinner… I wonder what I can steal from the kitchen… Luna padded off down the hall after Relena, hoping to find the kitchen.
* * *
Heero dreamed of his favorite things: His laptop; his gun; his Gundams; Gundams blowing stuff up; Duo’s Gundam blowing stuff up; Duo. His Duo. Heero’s dream moved from one thing to the next, each one somehow coming back to Duo. His mind pulled into a slightly skewed memory of his first meeting with Duo…
“Hey! Leave him alone! It’s pretty obvious that you’re the bad guy here lady!” Duo said, leveling the gun and the weird girl who had attacked Heero.
“I’m not the bad one!” the girl shouted.
“Oh yeah? Then get off the hot stud!”
“No! He’s mine!” the girl shouted.
“Fine!” Duo pulled the trigger and shot the girl in the arm.
“I could have shot her myself,” Heero said in monotone.
“Whatever. Hey, let’s go get married!”
“Okay.”
When Heero looked around again, he was standing at a church and Duo was wearing a huge white wedding dress.
“Heero!” a voice shouted.
Heero whipped around, expecting to see Relena like usual, but was instead greeted by Noin.
“What are you doing here?” he asked gruffly.
“We have to escape Nerock! Mercury is under attack!” Noin replied. The wedding and its memory was instantly gone as Heero was swept up into in battle that unfolded around him.
“This is no place for you to be Princess!” Heero yelled over the fighting.
“I AM the Senshi you nimrod! I can handle a battle!” Noin replied.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightening struck Noin down and a little glittering gem remained where she stood. A blue-haired girl faded into being, her hands outstretched, holding the little speck of light.
“The Star Seed has been stolen! As the Knight, it is to you to ordain a new Senshi of Mercury…” the girl said to him. The glittering light floated down to Heero and hovered in front of him.
“But how can I?” Heero asked, staring down at the little light.
“You must call out the name of the new warrior and she will appear…” the girl said as she faded.
“But Ami!” Heero called out.
“Choose the name Nerock. Choose…”
The name? But who to choose? “But what happened to Lucrezia Noin?"
“The choice is made.”
Heero awoke with a start. He was covered in sweat from the battle in his dream. The feeling of confusion still lingered in his mind, but he also felt like he had gained something. The battle had seemed so real that he was sure he had been there. How could that be real? I’ve never seen anything like it in my life… he wondered.
Heero looked at the clock next to his bed. 2:30 AM it blinked. Back to sleep… he decided. He closed his eyes and was out in seconds.
* * *
Relena was dreaming of a perfect world where no one suffered. In it, she saw a giant palace made out of crystal. It shone like the sun, only its light was soft, like moonbeams. Suddenly, black lightening shattered her dreams and thunder rumbled through the air. The thunder slowly became short and defined, more like a pounding, and then Relena awoke to the sound of pounding on the main door of her mansion.
Noting that no one was answering the door, she slipped into a robe and headed down to the front door. She opened it to find a shivering Milliardo carrying a very badly injured Noin.
“Brother! Come inside quickly! What happened?” Relena ordered as she ushered them in.
“We were attacked. And then, well, I don’t know. But Lucy is really hurt! Help her!” Milliardo begged.
“In here,” Relena indicated. She led them into the main lounge and put Noin on the couch. “I’ll call the doctor.”
Once Noin had gotten medical attention and was properly treated, she was given something for the pain and placed in the room reserved for her and Milliardo in the estate. Relena had dragged Milliardo into the dinning room and was asking him about what had happened.
“And then the thing flashed and when I regained consciousness, we were on the front lawn here. I don’t know how or by what force, but we were here,” Milliardo finished.
“That’s crazy! People can’t just vanish for hours and then turn up thousands of miles away!” Relena protested.
“I swear it’s true. I can’t explain it, but it’s true.”
“Well, it sounds like you’ve had a very trying night,” Relena said, trying not to mention her idea that her brother was on acid. “Why don’t you join Lucrezia in your room and get some sleep. You have free run of the place as long as you two are here.” Relena got up and headed for her room, then turned and added, “I want the report on the Terra Forming project tomorrow as well. It’s already a day late and I’m not cutting you slack because you’re my brother, Milliardo.”
Milliardo went to his usual room and joined Noin in bed. He quickly fell into a dreamless sleep, not waking until well after noon the next day. His vitality total gone, he stayed in bed and tried in vain to move. Noin still slept, although she tossed and turned like she was having a terrible nightmare. Still dressed from the previous day, Milliardo finally got up and changed his clothes, only to sink back onto the bed afterward. The day was bright and sunny and well underway, but he didn’t feel like joining the world of the living quite yet. He ordered a small brunch for Noin and himself, hoping that she would wake up and eat. He ate in silence, quickly devouring the food that had been brought. Finally finding the energy to move, Milliardo got up and left the room in search of his sister.
He entered Relena’s office and came face-to-face with the Queen herself.
“Do you have the report?” she asked.
“Of course. It will have to be oral, since all of our files were lost with the shuttle,” he explained.
“I have time. Let’s hear it.”
Walking over to the desk and sitting down, Milliardo told Relena the successfulness of the project thus far. “There have been very few mechanical problems and things seem to be working quite well. In another few decades, the air might even be breathable. After that, we will begin the full-scale surface reforming project. Things look quite well.”
“Have there been any problems? This sounds suspiciously flawless,” Relena asked.
“Actually, there has been one problem. There is one spot of the Martian surface that we can’t map. None of our scanners even detect it and any probe we send in malfunctions and doesn’t return,” Milliardo confessed.
“Have you not thought to send in a human surveillance team?” Relena asked.
“Every time we make an attempt, a sandstorm blows up and it becomes too hazardous to send a crew. It’s like the planet doesn’t want us to go or something.”
“You’re babbling Milliardo. Planets don’t have a conscious mind. They can’t make decisions.” She lowered her head and then looked at him with regretful eyes. “Due to your recent behavior, I’m taking you off of the Mars Terra Forming project for psychological R&R.”
“What?! But Relena, I…”
“This is not up for discussion! YOU are raving about aliens and planets making decisions and YOU question MY judgement? Be glad I’m not having you committed Milliardo! Now go and check on Noin. Some time on Earth together is exactly what you need."
Realizing that he had dug himself into a deep enough hole, he gave up and bowed. “Whatever you say.” He turned and left, quickly returning to his room.
He picked a book from the shelves and settled down on the bed. Not more than ten minutes had passed before someone knocked on the door. “Come in.” I hope it’s not Relena. She’s not going to win me over with words… To his surprise, Heero Yuy walked through the door. Closing it behind him, he walked closer to the bed.
“Heero!” Milliardo said in shock. “What do you want?”
“I came to see Noin. I heard you two showed up late last night. I wanted to check her injuries,” Heero said flatly.
“She’s fine,” Milliardo replied coldly. It was clear that neither liked the other much.
“Let me decide that for myself,” Heero demanded as he walked over to the bed. Milliardo knew that he had been shot down by the pilot and wasn’t going to get back up.
“Fine.” Twice in less than an hour! This is not my day…
Heero walked over to Noin and feigned an examination, knowing that he had really come to see if he could get any information about his dream. Since Noin was still unconscious, he thought that his visit had been pointless, but when he touched her forehead, he felt a sudden link between their minds and the world fell away around them.
Nerock? Noin asked.
I’m here. What happened? Heero replied.
My Star Seed was taken. But it came to you and you brought me back. Thank you.
What is this all about?
There is an enemy here and we must fight it. Once the conscious mind registers this, everything will be clear. We will know what to do.
Heero was quickly brought back to reality by Milliardo’s shakes.
“Get your hands off of her!” Milliardo hissed, grabbing the boy’s wrists.
“Sorry. I’ll be leaving now.”
From the hallway, Luna caught a glimpse of the woman in the bed. That’s her. She’s the one.
* * *
That evening, Milliardo joined Relena for dinner. He was still mad at her for kicking him off the Mars project, but he had cooled down some. “How have things on Earth been?” he asked politely.
“Very good. The people are prospering, the economy is stable and the standard of living is up all over the world for the first time ever. The Colonies have been experiencing the same,” Relena said with joy. “Now Milliardo, about today…”
“Don’t. I don’t want to talk about it. We haven’t seen each other in months and the first thing we did was fight. Let’s not worry,” he replied, obviously trying to control his voice.
“Alright. Politics are not appropriate for a reunion of friends and family anyway,” she said with a smile. “How have you and Noin been?”
“We’re doing fine.” The replied startled both people and they turned to see Noin standing in the doorway.
“Lucy! You’re up!” Milliardo exclaimed. He rushed over to her and pulled her close.
“It’s good to see you’re feeling better, Lucrezia,” Relena said, politely following her brother over.
“I just wanted to let you know I was going for a walk in the garden. I need the air,” she said with a smile.
“If you need anything, just let us know,” Relena said.
“Would you like me to come with you?” Milliardo asked.
“No, I’m fine. You and Relena have a lot to catch up on I’m sure,” she said, kissing Milliardo on the cheek.
Noin left the two siblings to eat and talk as she walked to the garden. The royal gardens were a splendid sight that always took her breath away. The wide path that lead through the area gave plenty of room for several people to walk side by side. The night sky of the Earth was dark and speckled with stars. Just like that thing that came out of me… She shivered at the memory but continued with her walk. A rustling in the bushes caught her attention and she jumped to her defenses.
“Who’s there?” Noin asked cautiously.
“My name is Luna,” came a reply from the bushes. Noin looked in surprise as a cat came waltzing out in front of her.
“You’re… you’re…”
“A cat. I know. You don’t need to be afraid. I’m just here to give you something that you’ll need,” Luna said. She flipped in the air and when she landed, she held a sapphire heart on a chain in her mouth which she deposited at Noin’s feet.
“What’s this?” Noin asked, picking up the crystal. “It’s beautiful.”
“This is the Mercury Crystal. If you hold it up in the air and say ‘Mercury crystal power make-up.’ Then you will become Sailor Mercury, a champion of love and justice.”
“Does this have anything to do with the ‘Star Seeds’ or something?” Noin asked.
“Yes it does. How do you know about that?”
“Because we got to her first!” someone shouted.
“Falon!” Luna gasped.
“Yes cat, it’s me! And this girl is ours!” he said triumphantly. Falon leapt down and tore the crystal from Noin’s hand, then pulled Noin into a choker hold.
“Not if I have something to say about it,” came another voice. Heero stepped out of the darkness and pointed a gun at Falon. “I don’t know who you are, but I wouldn’t touch her if I were you,” he threatened.
“Oh no! A gun! Oh! I’m so scared!” Falon mocked.
“Omae o korosu,” Heero said as he fired. Falon simply narrowed his eyes and the bullets stopped in mid-air. Heero stared as the bullets harmlessly fell from the air to the ground.
“Yeah right.” Falon scowled at Heero and summoned his whip. “Brakken! Take care of this guy!”
“Sure thing!” A red creature with tentacles instead of arms appeared and lashed out at Heero.
What can I do? I need to protect Noin! he asked himself as he backed off.
*Call up the sword. The Ice Sword will give you the power…*
In Heero’s mind, everything suddenly fell into place. Oh Holy Sword, come to me! he shouted in his mind. The Sign of Mercury glowed blue on his chest and he was suddenly frozen in ice. When the ice shattered away, his clothes had been replaced with ice blue armor that was fitted to his body. Strapped to his back was a leather scabbard which held a large sword. Heero pulled out the broadsword, letting the moonlight glint off the blade of ice.
He slashed Brakken’s right tentacle off, forcing it back. Falon looked on in horror and Noin used the momentary distraction to pull off a reverse kick and wrest the sapphire heart away from Falon. She struggled free of him and dashed off to the side.
“MERCURY CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE-UP!!” she screamed. Water bubbles surrounded her and washed away Lucrezia Noin, leaving Sailor Mercury behind.
“Aw shit!” Falon swore. “Brakkan! Take her down!”
A second Darkling appeared, this one orange with the head of an octopus and the body of a human. “Gladly, Falon.” It charged Mercury, shooting black ink at her.
Mercury jumped out of the path of the stream. “Shabon Spray!” she yelled. Mist filled the area and all of the combatants were lost in the haze. A sudden squeal behind her alerted Mercury to the presence of one of the creatures. She spun with a roundhouse kick and felt her foot connect with something squishy.
“Shine Aqua Illusion!” Mercury shouted, sending a wave of freezing water at the creature. It froze in its place and Mercury prepared the final blow.
“MERCURY AQUA RHAPSODY!!!” she screamed. A harp of water formed in her hands and she pluck the strings skillfully, sending a crashing wave of water down on the Darkling, which shattered it to pieces and crumbled away.
Heero was trying to stab Brakken, but the fog kept his vision and his accuracy low. His leg was pulled out from under him and he hit the ground, nearly dropping his sword in the process. He swung the sword again, finally finding his mark and slicing off a piece of Brakken’s left tentacle. Heero stood back up, trying to get a feel for where the monster was when the mist suddenly dissipated and he saw the monster charging him.
“Ice Storm!!” he shouted, swinging the sword. A blast of snow and ice ripped through Brakken, reducing it to dust.
Falon charged Heero, but Mercury clothes-lined him. Heero swung the sword for the final blow, but Falon teleported back. “I see I can’t beat you yet. But it won’t be long! Then you’ll all suffer the wrath of the Star Destroyers!!!” He laughed maniacally and disappeared.
“Damn! I almost had him!!” Heero cursed.
“Another time Heero. Another time.” Mercury powered down and put her hand on Heero’s shoulder. The armor faded away and left Heero in his normal clothes.
Heero and Noin walked back to the house, followed by Luna, and went into the dinning room with Milliardo and Relena. Heero took a seat next to Relena and Noin sat across from him next to Milliardo.
“So how was the walk?” Milliardo asked Noin.
“Exciting,” she said with a smile. Relena and Milliardo looked confusedly at each other.
“Heero, where did you come from?” Relena asked in surprise, suddenly realizing that Heero had arrived.
“The garden…”
The conversation continued on, Luna watching the whole time. After a while, Luna was suddenly struck with a huge realization. The computers were getting a huge reading of Silver Crystal energy from the Sanc Kingdom because the Silver Crystal was there!
Relena is Sailor Moon!!!
