Rites of Rebirth:Silver Millenium to Crystal Millienium
AKA
BSSM A: Episode One: While the shadow returns, so does past allies
and
BSSM A: Episode Two: The Past returns..again.
Friday morning, Tokyo, Japan:
<BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! > "Usako, it is now 30 minutes till your first class....
Usako." The automated alarm clock Mamo-chan gave her piped up, shattering
Tsukino Usagi's dream. The tall, blond hared young woman merely groaned,
looked at her clock, and dressed with startling speed, her clothes flying
off and on her in a blur, and ran out the door. She skid to a halt long
enough to take her backpack, and equally sized lunch bag before going off
again. Usagi ran across campus, almost colliding with her friend Ami on the
way.
"USAGI! By now, one would think you�d be a bit more aware of what is around
you! - Hey off to class a bit early aren't you?" Ami asked
"It's that annoying clock Mamo-chan gave me! I wish I could throw it out a
window, but it does the job, and I know Mamo-Sama was only thinking of what
I needed. Anyway, I had another memory resurface...but it was weird! It
involved Senshi we don't even know! "Usagi exclaimed and sighed. "I wish I
could remember more-like me and Mamoru's wedding, from when we were Serenity
and Endymion." she finished.
"USAGI! Of all the things to obsess over, when there is so much more we
still need to know about our former enemies, as who knows when they may
manage to return to this plane" Ami said with slight annoyance.
"Oh? What about you and Zoicite?" Usagi cut her off, smirking slightly.
Ami looked confused and said "Zo�? What about him...?" the name and
conversation dredging up a long buried memory...
Ami is slow dancing in the Grand Ballroom of the Moon Kingdom with one of
Endymion's guardians, Zoicite, who is also her fianc�.
"Zo�, is something wrong?" Ami asks her distracted lover.
"I do not think we will have another moment like this, Metallia's power is
great enough, that when Nephrite, Kunzite, Jadeite and I return to earth, we
will probably become her servants." He says, a despair settling into his
eyes.
"Then why return?" Ami asked, knowing the answer.
"You know my duty to Prince Endymion is to the death, if he is saved then
all is not lost."
" I understand, but to have to face you, to protect Serenity!" she shakes
her head, seeking solace in his familiar embrace.
"Ami, if I do fall under her power, death and rebirth is my only chance of
becoming free, so hesitate not to kill me." he said, voice grim and sad.
"As you wish my love" Ami replied, holding him tighter, feeling as if he is
already gone, then watching in shock and horror as Zo� disappeared. She is
suddenly tapped on the shoulder and whirls around.
"Ami, I'm sorry...I thought you had remembered" Usagi apologized, concerned
and worried for her friend, not used to see Ami that emotional.
"No, I hadn't - I had blocked it out again...and he's dead now! " Ami said
until she started crying as she wonders if she will ever have a chance to
see him again.
�Shh, It'll be OK, He'll be back...I promise" Usagi said, trying to comfort
her friend, hugging her gently.
"How do you know?" Ami asked, straightening up, and composing herself.
"Umm...just call it a hunch?" Usagi bluffed slightly nervous, honestly not
sure HOW to fulfill this promise.
Ami seems to buy this, and they change topics, chatting about the relative
peace they�ve been having.
On the way to class they are greeted by a rather upset and angry Minako,
coming from the building they were heading towards.
"Usagi! Ami! Everyone inside just� just�. Disappeared!" the distraught
girl, exclaimed to her friends.
"Everyone??...When, how?" Ami stammered, her mind racing as she realizes
what this implies.
"Rei and Makoto as well?" Usagi asked, her face pale at the thought this
dark occurrence could have already gotten Makoto and Rei-Chan.
Mina shakes her head, then starts pulling them towards the building. "Rei,
Makoto and Naru are inside still, waiting." Minako then starts running back
to the building, a rather confused and upset Usagi and Ami trailing.
Following Minako, Usagi and Ami find Makoto, and Rei waiting in the Caf�
with Naru. "Makoto - what happened?" Usagi asked
"We have no idea..."Makoto said, her face pale, tears brimming.
"We all were here, waiting as usual, when a darkness beyond that of an
eclipse blocked out sight. When, When." Naru stammered, then simply stopped,
even after years of being attacked by youma, the girl was still shocked by
such attacks, her deep frustration at being helpless making it that much
worse.
Makoto hugged her friend gently. "Then this deep male voice told us to go to
Hwasaka Shrine, and wait there." She said, her hands clenched against her
sides,
"Then when the darkness left, everyone was gone!" Minako finished
"Well then let's go" Rei said, her rage and anger at people being used as
pawns clouding her mind.
"No - with so little info, rushing off to meet a foe is not a wise move,
Mars." Usagi said, earning looks of surprise from the others.
"Yeah, I guess so, I just hate to think what's being done to those people!"
Rei said, pounding her fist into a wall. Usagi silently put a hand gently
over Rei's fist, and hugs her.
"I know Rei-Chan, I don't like it anymore then you do...but this is too
sudden, and we don't know what we're facing." Usagi told her fiery friend.
"Very wise Usagi!" complimented Artemis.
"Yes it seems the princess in you is finally showing out" Luna said.
"HEY! I earned it the hard way- Experience NOW! Besides, it might be a
diversion." Usagi retorted, annoyed at their assumption that wisdom was
somehow inherent in her and to be expected.
"I take it we're heading to Ami's now, then?" Makoto asked. At this point, a
dark voice muttered, and with a black flash everyone suddenly reappeared,
dazed but apparently fine, with no clue or explanation to what occurred.
"Odd." Ami murmurs then says suddenly. "Guys look! - There is a huge amount
of Dark Kingdom energy being registered by my comp. Location narrowed to
North America...United States...New York...Long Island Area....
Centereach????"" Ami said, surprised at dark energy being elsewhere then
Tokyo, where most of their battles have been.
"America� Why would anyone attack there, unless...Luna were there any other
Senshi that were tied to the moon kingdom?" Makoto asked.
"Yes...as everything is calm here, why don't we all meet in about an hour?"
Setsuna said, as the outer Senshi arrived.
"Umm, my place I'd assume guys?" Ami asked, knowing her house is the most
secure and opulent of the inner senshi's, second only to the house the outer
Senshi are in.
An hour later the Senshi are sitting around Ami's dinner table, listening to
Setsuna explain more about the AraValon Senshi - the eldest and oldest
branch of the Sol system's Senshi. "The four AraValon Senshi are each the
guardians of a vast power and realm.
Sailor AraValon, their leader, was the guardian of the AraValon crystal, and
the relics of the AraValon Kingdom. He is the one that guards the gateway to
AraValon, keeping it safe till it's time comes anew, and using it's power to
protect humanity from the darkness.
Sailor Dream is the Guardian of the Gate to the Realm of Dreams and the
Wielder of the Twin Daggers of the Mysts, her job is to protect the dream
realm from danger, and thus guard those of the light those who travel it.
Her involvement in this realm is mainly due to its closeness to hers.
Sailor Terra- Guardian of Terran human's and of Geia's Staff, she has the
job of protecting the world from and yet for the humans who live on it.
Sailor Chaos - Guardian of Change and the Shakram of Balance, this one has
the rough job of being of the light, yet keeping the chaotic edge needed for
growth, and the continuance of the One�s plan, aiming towards what some
would call a chaotic good. Despite this hindrance, she is loyal and true to
her fellow Soldiers.
There is another, but she was not with the others at their last battle, and
her final resting place is unknown, and thus we know not if she is still
Time bound to the position or if another will take her place one day. During
the final days of the kingdom these four Soldiers of the Crystal fought
through out the system, until the day they died fighting the remainder of
Metallia�s forces on earth. Though they died, they succeeded in stopping the
dark one from obtaining a Talisman which would have freed her to take a true
form in this plane, and thus be beyond the power of the Silver Crystal to
stop�
"So, why would they be in Centereach? Why would the Dark Kingdom be looking
there?" Haruka asked, vaguely recalling something about Sailor Terra.
"The Area now known as Centereach, has been the resting place of both the
AraValon senshi, and this Dark Relic. While the relic remained dormant, the
spirits of each AraValon senshi lived and died unaware of this part of
they�re past. That was until the relic itself started stirring, responding
to the remnants of Metallia forces trying to rebuild themselves. This time
when they were reborn, the links were intact to their pasts as senshi, and
were unknowingly drawn to the site of their last battle�Soon all 4 will be
there. Naru, are your bags packed?" Setsuna asks, startling the girl
"Wait�you mean, I'm a senshi, and not just a senshi, but one of the 'big
4'?" Naru asked, surprised and somehow not, for her bags were indeed packed,
and had been.
"Can you recall how to transform yet?" Mina asked. "No�it had something to
do with calling the staff, but I think I'll remember when the time is
right."
"The sooner, the better. Guys, let's get our stuff together and meet here
ASAP,� Rei says,looking foreward to the challenge. � I agree that haste is
necessary, a whole fleet of Dark Kingdom ships have appeared out of the
portal, and are heading towards New York." Ami said
�Then I shall handle arrangements for travel and lodging� Setsuna says
"So next stop USA?" Naru asked, as they all split up to gather their
belongings, while Setsuna made a few quick phone calls.
********
Saturday Afternoon: Stony Brook, Long Island
Mike was sitting in the science Fiction forum library with Katrin. Mike
studying a book on old ruins, and another on lunar myths.
"Hey Cub! Here's something you might be interested in, look at this
picture!" He says, gaining katrin's attention, by his use of her nickname
and shoving the book in her face.
What he is pointing to turns out to be a picture of a cylindrical stone
inscribed in the script of the Old tongue, the main symbol resembled a
crystalline tower amongst mountains. It has reportedly been found near some
uncovered ruins around Glastonbury, england.
"A portal stone?!...But what is that symbol?" Katrin replied, thrown off
guard by what she sees.
"I'm not sure, but I might be able to guess." Mike told her. �It seems that
according to some ancient and scattered myths and legends, there was once a
Kingdom on the Moon...during a time up to the last Collapse... It probably
ended during the same time as that outbreak of warfare the archeologists
have begun finding proof of." He said
"A Moon Kingdom? And what next the Senshi start showing up? What are the
odds of THAT?� She retorted, knowing the Senshi rarely leave Nippon.
"Excuse me ma'am, Sir?" a blue hared lady with Japanese features asked,
"Yes?" Mike asked the girl, who introduced herself as Mizuno Ami.
"Well...I'm trying to find the town of Centereach, and was wondering if
either of you knew the way, and if so, could guide my friends and me?" she
asked, glancing in surprise at Katrin. Mike missed this, as his main
thought is <She's from my dream of the battle, I was trying to get to her
and her allies when...but that's impossible.... For her to be here�>
Mike and Katrin exchanged quick glances, Kat shrugging. "Got nothing better
to do, for once." she said.
"Sure, where's your Car?" Mike answered.
"The Van's outside." Ami tells him.
While on the way, Mike and Katrin talked with their new acquaintances. Mike
talked with Setsuna about ancient mythology and theories of time, Katrin
played with Chibi-Usa, and Hotaru, while thinking <why is Rei staring at me?
She seems familiar, but I can't place her, and she says she's never been
outside of Japan before. How Odd. >. Michiru noticed the way the crystal
dangling from Mike's neck was catching the light, and managed to reflect
only blues, mostly of aqua or turquoise tint, and inquired of it. "I know
odd huh? Honestly I don't know much about it." Mike replied, attempting to
tuck it in, when Setsuna picks it out of his hand, and looks at it.
"Indeed...and you know nothing about how you got an AraValon Crystal? There
are only perhaps a dozen of similar type known to be left in this part of
the universe." She told him, her eyes scanning him, and then tensing. <It is
Mikal! And he's hiding something, he must know who he was, but why hide it?
"The Senshi's Henshin Crystals?" Mikal asked in, slight surprise at the
seeming coincidence.
< Could they be the Senshi...nah, why would they be here? They should they
have no clue about me, or the others, Yet this Setsuna reminds me of Senshi
Pluto...>
"Y, Yes...How do you know? And about the AraValon Senshi?" Usagi quickly
asked. <That face...he was at the ball in my dream! but that's not
possible...>
At this point, Katrin looked oddly at Usagi.
<Odd, but she reminds me of someone, someone important. What the fuck is
going on here? ...>
"A dream I had... I hope one day to ask them if the rumors of the Moon
Kingdom is true...I may find some answers I need then. Do you know them?"
Mike answers, about to call her Princess, then wondering why. Suddenly the
Van stops.
"What is it Mina?" Usagi asks, meaning to talk to mike later.
"It seems we must continue on foot Usagi-Sama ...LOOK!" Naru replied,
tensing for battle, memories beginning to break through. Indeed, a black
energy dome blocked the road...and any thing trying to enter was being
blocked, it's energy seeming to come from a black vortex in sky, black beams
emanating from it lancing and destroying the area systematically.
"Wha�What is this?" Katrin asked, a sense of d�j� vu sweeping over her.
"A Dark Kingdom energy dome...So they are back!" Mike says, frowning.
" So it seems, Mikal-San" Naru says, an odd look to her gaze, tone and look
making Usagi look at her close friend intently.
"You know of the Dark ones as well?" Haruka asked Mikal, almost the same
time as Kat retorted." How would you know anything about it?"
He nodded in reply to Haruka-San, then removes the crystal from the simple
clasp it was on. "AraValon Crystal.... Transform!" He called out and was
engulfed in white, holding the crystal in the air, a staff appearing in
place of it, and a few seconds later he was in the Red, Silver and Black
uniform of Senshi AraValon. "By the Power of the AraValon Crystal, and the
One who guides me, You shall be defeated!" AraValon said, blazing gold eyes
gazing through the dark one who appears, crouched and ready to leap.
"So you return AraValon, but too late!" cackled a lady dressed in all black
with Raven black hair and pale skin, contrasted by blood red lips. Indeed
she is as beautiful - and as lethal as the Black Rose. "I am Kodachi of the
black rose, but you may call me Lady Hematite, prepare to die! .... Dark
Tainting Blast!" she calls out
"AraValon Crystal...Charging!!" he yells in reply, holding his hands thumbs
and pinky locked yet palms out-like a cup or flower - causing a crystal to
appear and absorb the energy blast. "Charged AraValon phoenix strike!!" he
said, sending the crystal towards Kodachi and causing it to explode into
phoenix form- it sent it's crystal talons into her face and back, before it
faded away, in a sparkling flame.
"ARGHH!!� screamed the dark beauty, as she clutched her face, before
rallying. �Silver Ribbon Shredding!" hematite calls, with a crack of her
silvery ribboned whip, the razor sharp metal ribbons elongating and slicing
Mike�s back like razors, causing him to yell at the searing pain and
collapse as his body is racked with agonizing bursts of pain.
"Terra AraValon Staff�Make up!" shouts Osaka Naru, reaching behind her,
calling forth the Lady�s Staff, and with typical Senshi style, twirls, the
staff spinning around her, sending out a wall of energy around her. Naru
gasps, feeling the heady rush of power, the very essence of life in and on
the planet earth flow through her, as her body is clothed in the brown white
and red uniform of Senshi Terra. "WIND STORM!" she calls, twirling her
staff above her as she spins, then halting suddenly, and bringing the staff
down to point at Hematite, causing a whirlwind of air to erupt from the
staff's crystalline top, and sending hematite through several walls.
"Mikal -the town look!" Hotaru says, having quietly watched, helped Mikal up
while Terra made her stand.
Indeed the damage of the beams was obvious, seared trees and plumes of smoke
marred the scene. Mike sank to the ground in despair, knowing he and terra
could not block the beams on their own as well as destroy its source. He
was about to give up when he heard Haruka say. "Need some help, AraValon?"
"Uranus?" he asked, the voice bringing the feeling of unreality to it's max,
recalling fighting beside Senshi Uranus during the Silver Millennium. She
simply smiled, and raised her hand and henshin rod, feeling an odd stir of
power from her sphere, one that awakened long dormant sensations within her.
"Uranus Crystal Power...Make UP!" this was followed by her standard pose, as
she and the others powered up. They then called "Rainbow Energy Shield!"
This erected a force field between the beam and the area just long enough
for Mike and Naru, to cry out �though we are only two, by the One we pray
that this may work�.AraValon Golden Eternity Blast!� This emitted a powerful
golden beam at the vortex, and began pushing it closed. The portal shrunk,
adding power to its counter-blast. The Senshi responded by dropping the
shield, and while Usagi added the power of her scepter to the blast from
mike's staff, the Senshi held their henshin sticks together and they emitted
a third beam that wove between, around and then united with the other two.
The dark beam and portal shuddered and then closed, The Senshi collapsing to
their knees at drain their efforts caused. Mike collapsed to the ground, as
the unexpected battle took its toll on the unprepared Crystal Senshi.
End of Chapter one
*****************************
Chapter Two:
It is the day after the Senshi's first battle with the Dark Kingdom's forces
in America. They are watching over their new friend and fellow Senshi with
his closest friends. 24 hours have passed and mike is still unconscious. His
friends are reacting differently,
Beky is quietly questioning Haruka and Setsuna about how they managed to
allow let her friend to get hurt, Faith is trying not to show her worry by
ignoring the whole thing, and playing Multiple worlds monopoly with
Chibi-Usa and Hotaru. Katrin is out with Ami, Rei, and Usagi trying to
locate when, where and why the Dark kingdom may attack this area next, Kat
not being one to waste time on sorrow if she can aid in the downfall of
those causing it. Naru sits silently by her old friend�s bed, trying to
absorb the differences between who she is and who she was. Katrin is also
carrying with her an ornate knife hilt that she found by Mike during the
battle's aftermath. It had apparently fallen out of his cloak pocket when he
fell. Where the Blade should be was just a piece of crystal -nothing of use
in battle, as the crystal looked like it would shatter if used.
"Ami- anything?" Rei asked impatiently for the 354th time.
"Relax Rei, We have very little data. The Dark energy in this area has
apparently been seeping into this area for a long time.... The residual
energy resonance that my computer can pick up date back further then
scientists have acknowledged the earth existing for!"
"Ami scan me...do I have similar energy resonance?" Katrin asked, recalling
a conversation, half joking, about why the area was so odd.
"OK.... Hmmm ah ha, ah ha ...interesting...that's no surprise" Ami mutters
while scanning the data and compiling it. When she looks up she said, "Well
the good news is you have no association with this evil. Indeed you are
partially immune to it's psychological tampering. The interesting news is
that you have a lot of work cut out for you, and that Dagger hilt you are
trying to hide is a key...and part of the way to defeat this darkness. Now
let us return to the hospital, I need to talk to Usagi-Sama" Ami said
On the way Katrin mutters "how'd she know and what did she mean?"
"You made it obvious by how you walked and talked...you haven't changed much
though, Neko-San!" the blue hared princess replied, a slight smile on her
face, one also shared by Rei. As they continued walking they were followed
by the increasingly confused Cub.
Mean while at the hospital:
"I'm sorry but his family has said that they disapprove you all have to
leave"
" Maryann said that?" Fa asked, surprised.
"I'm not leaving him!" Naru said, in a voice so full of steely determination
that the others stared at her.
"Naru, You've changed!" Haruka said, a slight hint of awe in her voice,
causing Michiru to look closer at Naru.
"Um the father...the mother is in shock and he is claiming his right as her
husband."
�His mother divorced the ass years ago� Kris says, entering having finally
been able to get there, her words echoed by Mike�s adamant "MY mother
divorced him!" as he suddenly stood upright
"Oh really...I take it they can stay?" the doctor asked, having the air of
one used to the unexpected when it comes to Mike.
"Yes...and my mother can enter. My father can go home if he disapproves!"
" As you say, be more careful though Mik, ok? Kris, TRY and keep the boy in
one piece?� The doctor says then leaves
�Yes Cyn-Chan� Mik replies.
"Yes, Lisa". kris says.
"Naru-Chan�how much do you remember?" Michiru asked softly.
"Enough Michiru, enough. But that is then, and much has altered." Naru says,
her voice a whisper, her eyes showing the conflict still raging inside. "I
have much to adjust to dear one."
"So, you do remember?" Haruka says, tinge of uncertainty rocking her voice.
"Yes my dear 'Ruka, but I don't know what is of me or not right now�" the
Senshi says, instinctively leaning against Michiru for support.
"Where's Ami, Rei and the Princess?" Mike asks Makoto
"Umm trying to get data why?"
"Get them back now! ...Sorry Makoto, but they are in danger. We all are." he
says as the rainbow light of a Senshi teleport begins
Meanwhile:
Enroute to The hospital, Ami's rental car is suddenly sent into the side of
the road by a gust of wind, and a hideous laugh. �Hematite Mercury
poisoning!" Kodachi/Hematite calls, brandishing her ribbon-whip, causing a
silver stream to shoot at them
"Mercury Ice Sword!" Ami calls as the senshi tumble out of the car, and is
surprised that it forms in her hand as well as her other transformation -
the Mercury princess
'Mars Flaming Spear!"
"Moon Coronation Power!"
Suddenly Princess Mars and Queen Serenity are also present, Serenity donning
the Crystal Shield
" Crystal Shield protection!" Usagi says and the shield expands to block the
blast.
�Fire Rage Spear!� Mars calls, the crimson spear in her hand being tossed at
Hematite, turning into a beam of fire that hits the darkly souled one hard.
"Beryllium Energy BLAST!" Black Rose calls and a shrieking wraith looking
like queen beryl attacks, knocking the Senshi down, then turns to Katrin.
Kat draws the blade in a move to intercept not realizing her error regarding
the supposed fragility of the blade till too late... and being shocked to
find herself, and the others, in the comparatively tranquil hospital after a
flash of light.
******
�We all are" she hears mike say as the teleport fades and then silently
sighs in relief.
"It seems your not the only one of the triad with their instincts intact"
Setsuna says with a trace of arsenic in her voice
"Umm, Past is past Setsuna...and I AM sorry. But you have to admit you do
prefer the one you end up with." Mike replies from the bathroom, as he
changes out of the hospital gown and into his standard jeans and a T-shirt.
"Well. Yes, but does he exists now? Alas my life is what I know the least
about" she replies
"He does, and many will be surprised at who" Mike said
"Mikal. Are u well enough to talk?" Ami said causing mike's eye widen at her
tone, and phrasing, then nod.
"Yes Princess Mercury. Who else?" he asked
"Hmm, Queen Serenity, Naru-San, Setsuna and me."
"Umm, think that is a clue for us to go" Becky said dragging a curious faith
out, followed by Kat and the other Senshi, the last sound being of Makoto's
"Queen? Did you guys here that�"
"Mike -how much do you recall of the Silver Millennium?" Ami asked
"Only what has been relevant so far - and the true identities of the
Guardians...the male counterparts of the Senshi." he said.
" Do you know the true leaders of the Dark Kingdom? " Ami said
"Ami-Chan please don't remind him!" Setsuna said.
"Setsuna why not? I already remember the vacation on Rigel 7" mike said
causing Setsuna to blush uncharacteristically.
"please refrain from personal comments"
�'While discussing sailor buisness" Naru and Mike finished in Setsuna�s
voice causing Serenity and Ami to cover up smiles.
" So who are they?" mike asked
"Umm your and Cub�s dark counterparts"
"WHAT!!!!...Me and HER!!!! Who decided this part of the wheel�SETSUNA!! Is
this your way of tormenting me for jilting you?" Mike understandably freaks
"Humph! As if I would risk hurting the Queen over YOU!...I had no idea they
would be so strong when I slipped the forms into Father Time" she says, a
guilty look in her normally calm eyes.
" That explains why you are so careful with what you do now, I hope?"
Serenity /Usagi asked with a queenly reprimand in her eyes
" Yes, Queen" she replied eyes downcast and face chagrined.
"um..speaking of which�why did Usagi transform into Queen Serenity, instead
of a princess, and the return of our Planetary weapons? I mean, the Ice
Sword hasn't been at my call since I died back in the silver millenium!."
Ami asked
"The time is near when the Heir to the Moon Kingdom will take her place upon
its throne. This darkness will be the test to tell if the power of the
Silver Millenium is pure and strong enough to be transformed into the power
of the Crystal Millenium." Naru said quietly, hugging Usagi as she says
this.
"What are we going to do about Neko?" Ami asked
"Kat? What about her...?" Mike asked, tring to hedge
"She is carrying the Dagger of Mysts...and since it is what pulled us back
she Must be the Senshi of Dreams" Ami said
"that was obvious" Setsuna said grimacing
"So...we can handle this without her can't we?" mike asked hopefully, not
wanting her involved.
" We shall see�.i doubt it though, milord" setsuna replied.
"She�d kill me anyway if she found out I tried to protect her" he said
ruefully.
End of Chapter Two
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