Sorry for missing last week, here is the episode. I am a bit concerned
about the lack of C&C over the story, or any comment at all. I have heard
from a few people, but very many at all. Is anyone reading this? Well,
here's episode 4, enjoy, minna.
Solar Knights - Night's Dark Shadow
A fanfic of Sailor Moon By StarKnight
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**Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, all associated characters and situations created by
Naoko Takeuchi, used here without permission. All other characters are mine.
Writing notes:
^...^ indicates thoughts
*...* indicates telepathic messages
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Episode 4 "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do"
Naru ran into the school just as the last bell rang. She opened the
back door just as Miss Haruna was putting away the attendance book.
"Well, I'm glad to see that you could make it today, Naru." Miss
Haruna tapped her foot as Naru sank into her seat, her face bright red with
shame.
"Class, first I'd like to introduce a new student." The door opened
and a short boy entered. He was dressed in the usual black school uniform, but
the first two buttons were undone and the jacket was rumpled. His ruffled
black hair was too long as well, brushing his collar.
While Miss Haruna was talking Usagi leaned over and whispered out of
the side of her mouth "Aha! I was on time this morning. What's your excuse,
hmmm?"
Umino leaned forward and whispered "Yeah, what took you so long
getting here? You left your house early and I didn't see you on the way to
school."
"Usagi! Naru! Umino! Would the three of you mind being quiet for one
second so I can finish my introduction!" Miss Haruna loomed over the three,
flames in her eyes.
All three snapped immediately upright in their seats, eyes ahead and
simultaneously said, "Yes, Ma'am!"
"Good. Now, as I was saying, class." She speared the three with a
look that would melt steel. "Takashi has just transferring from his school in
Osaka, so please make him feel welcome here. Now the three of you, out in the
hall!"
As Naru and Umino looked at him for the first time, a shock went
through them. Somehow they recognized him, but couldn't remember from where.
* * *
The three of them stood outside the in the hall holding their buckets of
water and whispering to each other.
"So spill Naru, why were you so late today?" Usagi looked out of the
corner of her eyes at her friend.
^I can't tell her about the fight, and that I lost Luna. She'd never
believe it now, anyway.^ Naru bigsweated.
"Well, I, uh. I went by your house to walk to school with you today,
but you were already gone."
"So why didn't you wait for me then?" Umino looked at Naru.
"I'm sorry, Umino. I guess I just wasn't thinking about your feelings."
Naru looked pensively into her bucket.
"There seems to be a lot of that happening, lately." Umino looked up
and away from her.
Usagi looked from one to the other with a puzzled expression. "Are the
two of you having a fight?"
"No, no, nothing like that." Said Naru.
"No, we seem to have gone right past the fighting stage." Umino looked
back at the girls. "No wonder, now that Nephlite's back."
Naru made shushing motions while Usagi glanced at Naru. "Who's
Nephlite? An old boyfriend? Sounds juicy to me."
"Ahh, well I guess you could say that." Naru shot a dirty look at
Umino, who was looking away from her again.
Just then, the door to the room burst open and Miss Haruna stood
there, wreathed in flames of righteous fury. "WOULD THE THREE OF YOU BE QUIET!
THEY CAN HEAR YOU ALL THE WAY IN CHINA!"
All three looked like they had just seen the Gates of Hell open before
them and lapsed into stunned silence.
* * *
In the Dark Palace, Jadeite sat on his throne in smug satisfaction,
looking at the two floating spheres before him, Luna and Artemis trapped
inside. "You have done very good work today, Zoicite, and you will be
rewarded."
Zoicite put his hand over his breast and bowed. "It is my pleasure to
serve the Negaforce, Lord Jadeite."
Kunzite looked up and said, "What is our next step, my Lord?"
"With the threat of the Silver Crystal and the Sailor Senshi removed,
only two things stand in our way of conquering the Earth realm, These Solar
Knights and gaining enough energy to restore me/us to my/our full power. We
can strike for both of these things at once. Youma Gossamer, come forth!"
A dark hole opened up between Jadeite and the two Generals. A delicate
green-skinned woman rose up out of the hole and floated above the floor on
filmy wings. "Yes, Lord. I hear and obey."
"Very good. Go with my/our Generals and attack the city. Drain the
energy from these pathetic humans and empower me/us!"
"And when the Knights attack?" Kunzite said.
"Take this, the Crystal of Aster, and use it on them." A prism of
crystal appeared next to Jadeite and flew towards Kunzite, who caught it
easily. "Now go, and destroy our enemies!"
"We obey." All three bowed to Jadeite and disappeared.
* * *
Nephlite stood in his star chamber and spoke those long-familiar words.
"The Stars Know Everything." Glowing constellations appeared in the air above
him and swirled around. The planet in the center flashed, then shot a beam of
light out and struck him in the forehead, filling his mind with visions of
the
future.
He saw in his mind's eye a park, with people running around
frantically. In the center of the scene, he saw a beautiful green skinned
woman floating above the chaos, draining energy from fallen people. Kunzite
and Zoicite floated behind the woman, glee lighting their eyes.
"So that's it." Nephlite spoke aloud as the vision faded and the stars
dimmed. "They will attack tonight, trying to get energy for the Negaforce.
The
three of them will be to strong for me, I'd better get the others."
Nephlite walked out of his house, grabbing his keys as he went. Outside
the sounds of squealing tires are heard as he takes off down the driveway.
* * *
Naru and Umino sat together outside during lunch, eating and talking
about the morning's events.
"Then Zoicite and Kunzite disappeared, taking Luna and the white cat
with them. That's why I was late this morning." Naru finished her story and
started in on her rice.
"Hmmm, so we lost both of the cats. According to what Nephlite said,
they were the only ones that could wake up the Sailor Scouts. I still can't
believe that Usagi the klutz is Sailor Moon. I guess that means that we are
the only ones standing between the Dark Kingdom and Earth." Umino stopped to
chew on his shrimp and looked thoughtful. "I don't like Nephlite taking over
as leader of the Solar Knights. Lunar Knight was always our leader."
"Yeah, but until he shows up again, it's just the three of us."
"So, I guess your breaking up with me, then." Umino looked up into
the
sky, watching clouds float serenely over the school.
Naru couldn't look Umino in the face. "Yeah, I guess I am. I'm sorry,
Umino. I don't want to hurt you, but I love Nephlite. You will always be a
dear friend to me, but I never really felt that way about you."
Clouds passed over the sun, sending the yard into shadow and gathering
ominously. Umino looked down at her and seemed about to say something when
Usagi popped out from around the tree and said "Aha! Looks like I caught you
two love birds in the act." Totally oblivious, she plopped down next to the
two of them and started chatting away.
"I can't believe that we got in soooo much trouble today. And it's
only lunch yet. How are you going to break it to your parents about the note
we have to take home?" Without even stopping for an answer, she continued.
"And what about that new kid, Takashi? Don't you think he kind of looks like
that creep, Mamoru? Look, there he is, talking to upperclassman Hadashi."
Usagi pointed across the yard at where the new student seemed deep in
conversation with one of the High School students, Kenichi Hadashi.
Umino leaned in to whisper in Naru's ear. "Don't the two of them look
familiar?"
"Yeah, they do. Could they be Knights too? Or maybe someone from the
Dark Kingdom?" Naru whispered back.
"We'd better keep and eye on them, in any case."
The two boys stopped talking and, as one, turned to look directly at
Umino and Naru. Both felt a chill go up their spine.
Usagi looked over and saw Naru and Umino leaning close to each other.
"Ewww, can't you two wait to do that?"
Just then the bell rang and all three packed up and ran inside so they
wouldn't be late. Behind them, raindrops started to fall where they had been
sitting.
* * *
Nephlite drove his car through the sudden downpour when he saw a
familiar figure through the windshield. Sliding to a stop next to the woman,
he leaned over to open the passenger door and called out, "Get in!"
The beautiful blonde woman jumped into the car and slammed the door
shut quickly. She shook her head to get some of the water out of her hair and
smiled and Nephlite. "I'm glad I ran into you, Maxfield. You sure are a
lifesaver."
"Please, think nothing of it, Ms. Masters. I couldn't let you run
about in the rain like that."
"It's Crystal, remember. I was just out jogging when this rainstorm
hit. I was trying to get home before I got to soaked. It doesn't look like I
succeeded, though." And indeed Nephlite noticed that her running sweats were
soaked, clinging to her body and revealing the most interesting curves.
Nephlite snapped his eyes from where they were roaming and looked
forward. "Shall I give you a lift home, then?"
"Yes, please." Crystal snuggled up against the seat, smiling
satisfactorily.
A few minutes later, Nephlite's Ferrari was pulling up in front of an
expensive Maison. The two of them got out and ran inside.
Crystal shut the door as soon as Nephlite was though, then turned to
him. "Awgh, I am so wet. Would you be a dear and make us some tea while I get
a cleaned up?"
"Of course." Nephlite watched, fascinated, as she glided across the
living room and down the hall, then shook himself and walked into the
kitchen.
He pulled the tea kettle down from its hook and set some water to boiling,
then went hunting for the tea as he heard the shower turn on.
A few minutes later, he was assembling the tea set onto the tray as
Crystal walked in, wearing a big cotton robe and toweling off her hair. Both
moved to the kitchen table.
"I must say, your apartment is very western, with lots of tall
furniture and such." Nephlite said, standing to pour tea for her.
"Thank you. My father was an American, but I've lived most of my life
here in Japan." She leaned forward to take the cup, giving Nephlite a view
that he was hard pressed to look away from.
"It is unusual to see a woman in a position of such high authority at
such a young age." Nephlite took his own cup and sat down, seeming a little
flustered.
Crystal leaned back and her lips formed a little moue. "It hasn't been
easy. I had to work long and hard to get where I am. And now that I'm here, I
intend to enjoy the benefits." She stopped and took a sip of her tea. "Tell
me, Maxfield, are you seeing anyone?"
Nephlite nearly choked on his tea at the unexpected question. "Well,
yes, I guess you could say that I am seeing someone. A girl named Naru."
"A girl?" One perfect eyebrow raised quizzically. "Wouldn't you rather
have a woman?" She rose up from the table and walked around towards Nephlite,
her hips swaying and a large smile on her face.
* * *
"Thank you for walking me home, Umino." Naru walked next to him,
swinging her school bag.
"Hey, what are friends for. Besides, we need to talk about what we are
going to do about those two, Takashi and Hadashi."
Just then, three of their fellow students turned the corner ahead of
them. Very _large_ students.
"Hey, look guys. It's the runt and his girlfriend." Hatakani Shiuchi
fit in to his role of class bully perfectly. Large, cruel and slow-witted, he
had been a thorn in the side of Umino and the other students for a very long
time.
"Look, Shiuchi, we don't want any trouble today, so just let us by,
Okay?" Naru spoke up.
"Hey, babe, what do you see in a skinny little runt like that, anyway?
How about you and me go have a little fun, eh?" Shiuchi was practically
drooling on Naru.
Umino looked on at the display and ground his teeth together. He had
put up with this idiot for years, and simply couldn't stand it anymore. He
stepped in between Naru and the Shiuchi. "Look, I know its hard for you to get
both brain cells working at the same time but get the picture. She's. Not.
Interested. Got it?"
Shiuchi's face darkened, but a smile broke out on his face. "So what
are you going to do about it then, runt?"
Umino balled up his fist and nailed Shiuchi with a punch square in the
jaw. Unfortunately, he didn't seem affected by it at all.
"That's IT! GET HIM!" Shiuchi's buddies grabbed Umino by either arm
and lifted him off the ground. Shiuchi gave Umino an evil grin, then started
to beat the smaller boy senseless.
Naru screamed and beat one, then the other, but they wouldn't let go
of Umino. After several minutes, and he started to look more like a punching
bag than a boy, they dropped him in front of Naru.
"Heh, heh. That wasn't even worth while." Shiuchi grinned and spat on
Umino.
"Yeah, he didn't even put up a fight at all." One of the others said,
and kicked Umino in the ribs one more time. Then all three turned around and
started to walk off laughing.
Umino picked himself up off the ground painfully, looking out of his
one good eye at the backs of the three bullies.
"No way that this is over yet." He thrust up his right hand and the
symbol of the Earth appeared in his palm.
Naru realized what he was doing and shouted "NO!", grabbed Umino's
hand just as the three turned the corner they had come from. "You can't use
your powers on them. They may be jerks, but they're not evil."
Umino looked darkly at the corner they had disappeared around.
"They'll pay for this somehow. And what do you care about it, anyhow."
He snatched his hand back from Naru, and she looked stunned.
At that point Nephlite's car came screeching around a corner and
stopped next to them. He leaned out the window and shouted. "Get in, quickly!
There's a youma attacking people in the park!"
* * *
The car came to a halt just in front of a mad mob running away from
the park. Beyond them, they three could see youma Gossamer flying around,
snaring people with tendrils from her hands and draining them of their energy.
Umino thrust up his hand and cried "EARTH KNIGHT POWER!" He was
enveloped by a burst of brown light, and then Earth Knight was standing there.
"VENUS KNIGHT POWER!" Naru shouted out, and disappeared into a flash
of golden light. Venus Knight appeared.
Nephlite shrugged, thinking ^Might as well join in.^ He called "STAR
KNIGHT POWER!" He disappeared into a globe of darkness, appearing again in
his black armor.
All three Knights stood there in front of the Ferrari. Star Knight
stepped forward. Hold it right there, Gossamer. We won't allow you to attack
innocent people anymore." He pointed at her. "By the Power of the Stars, we
will punish you!"
Gossamer dropped the people she was holding and purred, "Well, well.
It's about time you showed up, Nephlite. Lord Jadeite sends his regards." She
held up her hands and tendrils shot out of her fingertips, searching out the
trio, who all leaped out of the way.
"Venus, protect the humans, Earth, bring her down to ground." Star
Knight shouted.
"VENUS SHIELD!" Venus help out her hands and a golden dome formed
over
the unconscious people.
"Don't give me orders, Nephlite. EARTH WAVE!" Earth Knight slapped the
ground and a rumble passed from where he was standing to Gossamer, and the
ground burst under her, knocking her out of the air and onto her backside.
"OW! You'll pay for that, boy. Kunzite! Zoicite! they're here!"
Gossamer stood up, rubbing her derriere.
Kunzite appeared out of darkness and Zoicite in a cloud of sakura
petals. "Ah, the Solar Knights. Welcome, and Good-bye." Kunzite snapped out
his hand and the Crystal of Aster flew out to where the Knights were
standing.
When it reached them it began to spin and flash in midair.
"NO! Stop it!" Nephlite cried out in vain. The Crystal of Aster
flashed and turned dark, drawing energy from the Knights. They fought against
the pull of the Crystal, but it drew out their powers, leaving a weak and
exhausted Naru, Umino and Nephlite behind.
"Hahahahahaha! Now you are finished!" Kunzite snapped his hand back
and the Crystal flew into it.
"That was almost to easy, Kunzite." Zoicite walked over to where the
three were moaning on the ground. He nudged Nephlite with his foot and said,
"Well, it's looks like it ends this way. To bad for you." Zoi raised up his
hand and a crystal sword formed in it.
Just as the sword began it's glittering descent towards Nephlite's
neck, a voice from the side called out "Hold it right there!"
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End Episode 4
Stay tuned for Episode 5: "The Rise of Mercury and Jupiter"
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Star Knight Otaku, Fanfic Author and Gamer
Solar Knights Battle Angels<<
email: starknight@mindspring..com or starkght@netrax.net
web: www.minsdpring.com/~starknight
IRC: EFNET channel #ani-mayhem
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