The Battle of Wits
"She failed," said Charon standing near her cousin in Infinity fortress.
"It was destined to happen," said Pluto, her older face showing sad wisdom.
"It's my turn to fight," said Charon.
"And your fight will not be one remembered," said Pluto.
"Mine will be a fight of wits" agreed Charon.
Pluto looked out of the palace, on the barren wastelands of Pluto. The castle that had been built by the wielders of time before her and Charon's time.
There was a rumbling in the distance and a great light was seen coming closer to them.
"It is the one of the scouts of legend, Solaris and Xenda," said Pluto. "They will help you."
"You must go," said Charon in more of a mater of fact tone then of questioning.
Pluto smiled at her younger cousin and laid her hand on her shoulder.
"You shall do well. And I say this as both a cousin and as the Guardian of Time."
Charon nodded and Pluto raised her time staff, opening the vortex of time. Giving her stoic cousin a final wave, she walked in and disappeared with the vortex.
Charon remained still, her thoughts and emotions not showing as she waited for the three to arrive.
"Welcome to Infinity Fortress," said Charon.
"Charon, they have passed through the outer gate," said Xenda in distress. "I could not hold them."
"I know," said Charon in a solemn voice. "You all must be hungry, come and eat."
The three girls looked at eachother and then followed behind her as she led the way, the orb atop the staff in Charon's hand lighting the way.
"Charon," said Xenda when the entered the dining chamber. "Why did you come to me in a dream?"
Charon paused in her walk and answered. "Had you not known, you would not have been able to hold off the Negaverse while I sent a warning to Serenity by way of Planet Call."
"Planet Call?" asked Solaris.
Charon turned her piercing gaze to the tall blond haired girl, "It is the way those past Athena talk to the Inner planets. We don't hold the Maze Mirrors that allow us to communicate quickly."
Solaris smiled and nodded in understanding and followed as Charon led them through a number of larger halls to a large room with some seats.
"They will be here soon." said Charon as she sat down on a large throne in the center of the room.
Xenda took a seat on a smaller one and watched as Cosmos sat near her. She looked around and saw that Solaris had continued to stand.
"As the holder of the planet, what is your plan?" asked Solaris.
"I..." started Charon but was cut off as a flash and a dark figure stood before them. Charon was to her feet immediately and running forward.
"Alyssa!" realized Cosmos as she saw the figure going for her red haired cousin.
Xenda was also to her feet and had backed up rapidly while Charon came before her and the figure, and raised her orb.
"Begone!" she shouted. "Or face the wrath of Charon!"
"Charon has no emotions." said the voice tauntingly. "How can I fear her wrath?"
Charon's eyes narrowed, "You are one Beryl's people. Go back to her and tell her that she had better turn back. Pluto and Charon will not fall as Xanthia and Xenda to her evil."
"There is no more Xenda." said the dark creature with a sneer. "Only the planet."
Xenda gasped and Solaris, near her, took hold of her sholder's comfortingly.
"Bearer of bad news." said Charon. "You have gone to far!"
The creature suddenly shrieked as Charon's orb on her staff glowed with a harsh, but beautiful light, and then disappeared, sent back to where he'd come.
"Charon." said Cosmos. "Is what he said true?"
Charon looked to Cosmos a moment and then held up her orb, "Watch the image closely."
There was a glowing and then a holographic image of Xanthia, covered in darkness with rings around it appeared.
"No!" exclaimed Xenda, tears coming to her eyes as she fell to the ground in sobs.
Charon pointed her staff at the hysteric girl and Xenda disappeared.
"Where did you send her?" asked Solaris, her voice showing her distress for the girl.
"She is in one of my safest chambers asleep" said Charon. "She lost much in her battle."
"What do we do now?" asked Cosmos. "You know your land better then I."
"Do I?" asked Charon. "You are the Legendary scout of the cosmos. Is it not you that knows of everything in the Cosmos, even the smallest detail?"
Cosmos looked at Charon with surprise and respect.
"I underestimated you knowledge." said Cosmos with a relenting smile. "I am one of those legendary scouts."
"And the strongest of us right now." said Solaris.
Charon looked momentarily started and looked at Solaris.
"You too fought Chaos?"
"I did." said Solaris.
"That was a deadful fight." said Cosmos.
She traced her fingers over her eye and remembered the hit she'd taken.
"A colorful scar at least." said Charon. "I've heard of some that received more."
Solaris nodded, "What ever happened to Sailor Galaxia?"
Cosmos became silent at the mention of the victorious scout that had beaten Chaos. Only she knew what had eventually happened, and only she had ever survived....
Charon stood on the North tower, looking out on the gray sea of her home.
"They're coming." said Solaris from the East tower.
Xenda, over in the South tower looked out to see Youma coming towards her side as well.
"They're coming from all sides!" shouted Cosmos, standing on the top of the center tower.
"Understood." shouted Charon.
All four fell into silence and Solaris watched as Beryl's ambassador appeared.
"Surrender Guardians!" shouted Swaith. "Make it easy upon yourselves."
Solaris was about to answered when Charon shouted out, "Try as you might, you will not pass."
The Youma began to murmur and some turned about.
"So be it!" shouted Swaith, though not so confident.
Charon raised her staff and the intire fortress was shielded with a blue glow. Cosmos leapt down a number of roofs to her tower and stood beside her.
"You knew we would win?" said Cosmos.
Charon looked up at her peer, "No. Merely a mind game. Because my cousin is the Guardian of time's gate, it can be assumed that I will know what will happen."
"And will we win?" asked Solaris, riding over on her board.
"It is not for me to say." said Charon.
"Why? If you told us, we wouldn't worry." said Xenda, leaping up to join them.
"History, time. It is what you make of it. If one knew one's future and acted on it, they would change what happens then. The only thing you can do is fight with all of your might and ignore what might happen. There is always a second possible future."
The other three scouts nodded silently and looked out to the hordes of Youma who were moving about the fortress anxiously, waiting for orders.
"Prepare for action!" exclaimed Charon as the hordes of Youma streamed towards the fortress suddenly.
"Ready!" shouted Solaris.
"Ready to hit it!" called Xenda enthusiastically.
Cosmos merely waved from where she stood and Charon raised her staff. The next moment the blue barrier was gone.
"Nova," shouted Solaris as she raised her palm before her. Light shot strait down and coursed over her body, to ending at her open palm.
"Blast!" she finished and the white energy shot away from her hand and struck into a large group of Youma. There was a tremendous explosion, and the Youma were no more.
"Cosmos, Planet, " shouted Cosmos and five blue spheres composed of electricity rose up around her and began to spin around her like a hoola-hoop before suddenly coming together on her right palm in a larger blue sphere.
"Allignment!" she yelled finishing.
The sphere shot away and headed for the Youma and struck with a mighty force. All the remained after a bright light, was a large crater.
"World, Workings!" shouted Xenda, causing vines to shoot from the ground and wrap about Youma, crushing them to death.
"Molecule!" shouted Charon, rasing her orbed staff high above her head. "Arrest!"
Colors of light streamed out of the orb, and like a rainbow spred forward. Then, shooting down gracefully, into swarmed into the crowds of Youma. All the Youma hit disappeared in a red aura, sent into eternal rest.
Hours later, the hordes of Youma continued onward towards the ruins of Infinity Fortress and the four scouts still fighting.
"We can't hold on much longer," said Xenda, breathing raggedly.
Charon raised her staff and suddenly the entire area was a large maze, the center of which, they stood in.
"Split up." said Charon. "This maze is thousands of yards around. To get back to the center speak the words, Golden Revelation, and follow the light back."
"Understood." said everyone and split off, leaving Charon alone in the center.
"So." said Swaith. "She wishes to play that game."
He smiled evilly as a beam shot out of his sword and covered the half of the entire moon that was now a maze. Darkness fell and a dark mist seeped about it. Swaith grinned wickedly and then began to laugh hysterically.
Solaris froze where she stood and watched as a dark mist rolled into her passage way.
"What is happening?" she murmured as it soon filled her corridor in a dark fog.
"Ketta..." murmured a voice.
Solaris swirled about, her eyes wide.
"Who's there!" exclaimed Solaris, her eyes wide.
"Ketta, you don't remember?" asked the voice.
Solaris's skin crawled and then she backed up as Sailor Nigal appeared before her. Her dark eyes the same as they had been when they'd fought against eachother years ago.
"You!" exclaimed Solaris. "But you're dead."
Nigal's eyes gleamed, "Am I? You failed Ketta."
Solaris shook her head in disbelief.
"You killed her in a battle when she took sides with Chaos and became the Sailor of Darkness," her mind told her. "This cannot be her."
Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a Youma appear. Turning away from Sailor Nigal she raised her hands before her. The Youma shot out a spray of sharp needles as called out her attack.
"Solar Wind Echo!"
There was a small wind and glowing lights appeared and swirled about her. A moment later the needles were deflected away.
"Helios Lute!" she called as he transformation item appeared in her hand.
Placing it to her mouth she blew softly and a sweet melody lit up the air. The Youma staggered and fell, before changing into a pile of dust at her feet.
Xenda looked about through the darkness, her green eyes searching for danger. Suddenly she saw a familiar figure before her.
"Nuoto."
"Come with me Princess Alyssa. Rule by my side." he said holding out his hand to her.
Xenda started to extend her hand towards his but froze and pulled back.
"I can't. I am sworn to protect Queen Serenity's Kingdom. I cannot join yours." she said sadly.
Nuoto's image suddenly changed shape and she saw a Negaverse general standing before her with a sword.
"To bad. I guess you'll have to come the hard way." he snarled.
Xenda jumped back as the general swung down his sword at her.
"Shadow Sword!" she exclaimed, holding up her hand.
The dark sword appeared in her hand in time to catch the sword of the Negaverse general.
"I'm not being taken without a fight." she said to his face as they strained against eachother.
"Have it your way." said the general and shoved her away with a surge of his arms.
She fell back against the wall and then raised her sword swiftly to deflect a blow.
Cosmos stood in an open area of the maze, her gaze shifting from one Youma to another of the dozen surrounding her. She'd hunted down over twenty and had come upon this bunch by accident, and was now trapped.
"You always rush into things." said a voice. "You're carelessness caused you the gaining of you scar on your eye. Now it will cause you life."
"Chaos." murmured Cosmos immediately recognizing the voice. "I was right, you are behind all of this."
"I am." said the voice as a large creature's shape was seen in the shadows.
"But you're not here." said Cosmos. "My eye always hurts when you're near."
"Very perceptive." said Chaos.
Cosmos could no longer discern the Youma, all she saw now was Chaos hovering around her like it had when she'd fought it.
"So, you're the strongest in the galaxy now." said Chaos. "How interesting. And it was just the other day that Sailor Galaxia was."
"Don't speak of her." said Cosmos, her eyes flaring in anger.
"Oh, you'll never be as strong as she was Larana." said Chaos jeeringly. "You will never defeat me."
Cosmos couldn't take it any longer and clapped her hands prayerfully before her.
"Star Gazer, Come to my aid!" she called out.
Electricity shot out around her and formed into the legendary sword before her, casting a blue glow about her as it appeared. Then she opened her eyes and grabbed the sword.
Immediately she saw what her eyes had been deceived of and raised it towards the Youma, and with a shout plunged into the horde. With every stroke, destroying a Youma.
"No one shall dishonor the dead!" screamed Cosmos as she leapt high into the air and then downwards, aiming a fatal stroke at a Youma.
Charon's eyes watched the battle as it continued onward. Her eyes never showing any emotion as the Youma were hunted down and taken care of. Then she became away of the new presence in the center of the maze with her.
Swaith smirked, "And we meet again."
"You're loss." said Charon, lifting her staff.
"Now, now." said Swaith lifting his hands in a peaceful gesture. "I've come to bargain."
"And what could you bargain with that would make me betray my sovereign's trust."
"This." said Swaith holding up a glass crystal. "The Sapphire of Mede, that, if even scratched, will shatter a world that it is on."
"You're lying." said Charon, her face showing no emotion.
"Perhaps." said Swaith. "But can you be sure."
Solaris leaned watched as the last Youma in the current corridor fell and she leaned against the wall.
"There's just too many." she murmured.
New black mists entered the corridor and she shook her head. Every time it cleared, it had returned, thicker and darker than before.
"Maybe I should turn back." she murmured as a feeling of deep depression came over her. "We're loosing this battle."
"Don't give up Sailor Solaris." called out a voice in the mists.
Solaris looked about in surprise and then smiled widely as she saw a familiar figure walking towards her.
"Sailor Pluto!" she exclaimed.
Pluto smiled, "Don't give up hope. You may not win this round, but their will be other battlefields."
Solaris nodded, "And have you come to help?"
"For now." said Pluto with a nod.
There was a loud bang and both turned to see bright light radiating from the center of the maze.
"My cousin is in danger." said Pluto, her eyes showing her worry.
"Then we should go." said Solaris. "Golden Revelation!"
Both scouts watched as a golden ball appeared before them and then began to move off.
"Come on!" exclaimed Solaris, running after it.
Pluto nodded and ran after her, keeping Solaris's fast sprint.
Xenda smashed into the wall at the end of the corridor and slid the ground limply. She tried to push herself back up, but her left arm screamed out in pain and she realized she'd broken it. The general smirked and walked towards her in a slightly limp.
She wiggled up against the wall and reached for her Shadow Sword. Just as she was about to grab it's hilt the general's dark boot stepped on it.
"I'm afraid not." he said in evil amusement.
She looked up and him defiantly and he laughed.
"You were a worthy opponent. However, this fight is over."
He raising his sword, preparing for the final blow and she held up her right arm. Then, as he brought down the sword a figure appeared behind him and stabbed a silvery object into his back. The general screamed out in pain and turned.
His eyes showed surprise and then he dropped to the ground.
"Who are you?" asked Xenda, her eyes trying to make out who her rescuer was in the dim area.
The figure bent down and she gasped, "You!"
Nuoto smiled, "I see you remember me, but for now, come."
He lifted her into his arms and she looked at him in surprise.
"I'm a hunted man now, Alyssa." said Nuoto. "I've left Queen Beryl's side. She's not the aunt I once knew and respected."
"I'm sorry." said Alyssa seeing the pain in his eyes.
Nuoto smiled sadly at her as he walked, "Don't worry yourself. For now, lets get you to your friends. Then, once this battle is over I will go to Queen Serenity herself and turn myself in."
"You can't!" exclaimed Xenda, her eyes wide. "She may kill you."
"It would be better than I deserve." said Nuoto, his eyes darkening. "I've killed so many.."
"Personally?" asked Xenda.
"No, but I ordered." said Nuoto. "I commanded those attacks."
Xenda sighed and then looked at him lovingly, "If you do go, I'll go with you."
Nuoto looked at her in surprise and stopped. The corridor cleared of the black fog and the light of Pluto's moon shone bright overhead.
"You would do that for me? After everything that happened?" asked Nuoto in a confused voice.
"Nuoto, what you did shows me just how much you really do care for me." said Xenda, her eyes bright. "I would do anything for you now."
Nuoto smiled and they looked at each other a moment. Then, almost simultaneously, they moved their heads together and kissed.
Cosmos leapt high into the air as a large bolt of dark energy streamed towards her. Missing, it continued onwards and took out an entire wall.
"Nice try Negatrash!" shouted Cosmos boldly, ignoring the pain coursing through her body. "But I've fought Chaos, and you and the rest of your pals are nothing compared to it."
The Youma screamed out in anger and Star Gazer flashed in Cosmos's hand. The next instant Cosmos darted forward with amazing speed and the Star Gazer swept downwards, slicing clean through the Youma. Light shot out of the Youma and then it was gone with Cosmos standing a number of feet off.
"I'm going to need some R and R after this." murmured Cosmos as she kneeled over, her sides speaking of their pain.
Suddenly there was a loud explosion from to the far north. She looked on in surprise and then ran forward towards the center, afraid of what she'd find.
"What kind of scout are you!" exclaimed Swaith staring at the shattered gem.
There was a mischievous glint in Charon's eye for a split second and then she raised her staff.
"One that doesn't loose. This battle is over for you Swaith!"
Swaith screamed out in vain as the orb on Charon's staff began to pulse with light.
"Charon, Molecule Arrest!" exclaimed Charon.
The rainbow of light streamed out of the orb and swarmed towards Swaith.
"I'll have revenge!" shouted Swaith a second before he was struck.
Instantly he was gone, changed to dust.
"Not likely." said Charon.
"Kameon-San!" called a voice.
Charon turned and saw her cousin come running with Solaris.
"Setsuna." said Charon with a slight nod.
Then Nuoto walked into the area with Xenda holding his arm.
"What in the world." murmured Solaris stepping forward.
"No." said Pluto, "He's on our side now."
"How do you.." started Solaris and then dropped off. "Never mind, I'd forgotten."
Pluto chuckled and then watched as the final scout, Cosmos appeared, looking worse then everyone, her uniform tattered and torn and her arms and legs cut in places. For a moment all was silent and they all looked at eachother.
Then the maze was gone and a large group of Youma stood around them.
"This battle is over." said Charon, her voice firm.
Pluto nodded, her eyes sad.
"After all the fighting you want to abandon you're going to give up!" exclaimed Cosmos in dismay.
"It is the only way." said Pluto.
Solaris bent her head in defeat and Nuoto and Xenda stood closer together. The Youma pressed towards them and Charon gathered them together. Then, wordlessly, Charon lifted her staff. Pluto's eyes widened and she moved towards her cousin.
"I'm sorry." murmured Charon.
Her staff flashed and Pluto, Xenda, Nuoto, Cosmos, and Solaris were gone. The Youma stopped and stared at the now lone scout and a quite sound of laughter rose into a roaring sound around her. Charon's eyes glimmered and she raised her staff before her.
Then she removed her hands and the staff floated up into the air between them.
"Atom, Displacement!" she shouted, her eyes darkening. "Revelution!"
A tremendous crack rang across the planet and everything froze, Charon standing at the center of everything. Her eyes focussed and her mind remained firm.
"My destiny begins." her mind's voice spoke as her body was also frozen.
A number of hours later a sad Sailor Pluto stood silently in Queen Serenity's palace. The court was silent as they listed to the accounts of Xenda, Cosmos, Solaris, and Pluto. When the meeting was over Nuoto was brought before Serenity and a new meeting began.
Pluto didn't stay to watch and went out in the gardens.
"Pluto." said a soft voice as a gentle hand was placed on her back.
Pluto turned her head and saw Princess Serenity standing behind her, her face filled with concern.
"Princess?" asked Pluto in surprise.
"You're cousin will be fine. My mother has already sent word to Neptune for help." she said with a comforting smile.
"Thank-you Princess Serenity." said Pluto, her eyes showing her unspoken feelings. "Times like these show me what you're capable of being."
The blonde haired girl looked questioningly at Pluto but Pluto didn't explain. Silently she walked away.
"So you're leaving?" asked Solaris. "You're not even healed up completely."
"My job needs tending. I'll return to fight as soon as I can, but if I don't find out what's happening out there...." her voice trailed off as she remembered her encounter with the image of Chaos.
"I understand." said Solaris, recognizing Cosmos's look. "Be careful out there."
Cosmos nodded, and the two shook hands.
"Good bye Ketta."
"Good bye Larana."
Cosmos moved away a few feet and stood straight and tall.
"Cosmos, teleportation!"
The emerald on Cosmos's headband flashed and then she was gone, leaving an emerald green aura behind for a moment that shimmered in the reflective light of the earth.
Solaris sighed and raised her hand to the sky.
"Comet Board!" she called.
The golden board appeared and she got atop of it.
"Home." she murmured.
The board streaked away from the moon and towards the sun, her face never turning to look back.
"Is there none to speak for this man other than Guardian scout, Sailor Xenda?" called Queen Serenity from her throne.
Xenda and Nuoto looked to eachother, discouragement on both of thier faces when silence was the only thing in the room.
"So be it." said Queen Serenity. "I find you guilty of the death of thousands of Xanthians and Xens, Prince Nuoto."
There was a murmur through the crowd and then a figure rushed into the room.
"Queen Serentity." said the young figure.
"Prince Endymion?" asked the Queen, her voice showing surprise.
"My Queen. I come asking for mercy upon Nuoto and to offer him the chance to redeem himself." said the Prince of Earth.
"Speak." said the Queen, her voice sounding pleased.
"My Queen, " said Endymion, "Place Nuoto under my planet's guard. I would have him as one of my Guards. To help me."
The crowd murmured in surprise and a smile fell upon Queen Serenity's face.
"You speak well Endymion. He shall be placed under your hand." she told him, her eyes shining with pride.
Tears sprang into Xenda's eyes and she embraced Nuoto. Nuoto smiled and looked over to Endymion, who nodded with a knowing smile.
Hip hip horray! Thanks Danny for the finished story. If you wish to comment on this story write to Danny press the icon.
This page was finished November 13, 1999. All Gaurdian Scouts and Nuoto are the property of the owners of this page.... in other words e*mail for permission to use them!!!!!! Thanks.
