----------
Location: The Knight Productions reviewing theater (very comfy
couches/loveseats and fully stocked bar. :-) )
Reviewing crew this time: Brian, Erica, Atsuko, Julia
By popular demand...chapter six of Suiseiki. This is where business
starts to pick up, and we meet our first mystery guest monster...C&C
is welcome, but please try to limit the number of death threats over
the guest star...and no, it's *not* Godzilla...
Erica: Ahem. Did we get the other five?
Brian: Uhhhh.....whups. Sorry.
Interlude
As the sun rises over the Far East this morning,
Japan and the rest of the world continue to wonder at
the mystery of yesterday's unexplainable phenomenon.
Yesterday, shortly after noon local time, a tower
that appears to be made of pure crystal appeared on the
grounds of a Shinto temple in the center of the Minato
ward of Tokyo. The crystal tower, which the Japanese
government has officially named 'Fushigi no Suishou'
Atsuko: Indirect reference to Fushigi Yugi (sp)?
Brian: Nahh. He just likes putting a ton of Japanese in his
fanfics.
(Mysterious Crystal), stands silent watch over the city
as morning begins in Tokyo. So far, there has been no
activity from the structure aside from "an unusual
light" originating from the rear of the structure at
sunset yesterday. All attempts by Tokyo police and the
JSDF to gain entrance to the structure have met with
failure.
Today, the world waits anxiously for some sign
from the wonderous crystal structure, some clue as
to what it is, where it came from, and most of all,
whether or not it's friendly.
-AP article, 1 July 1999
Atsuko: Of course it is!
Erica: We know that, the Senshi know that, but do the JSDF
know that?
Julia: <paging through previous chapters> No, not really.
<blinks> ...the hell??
Erica: What?
Julia: Uh, Lurker, what were you thinking?
Erica: About what?
Brian: <pointing at screen> I think she means that.
Chapter Six
Shingo awoke unceremoniously to an intense tickling which caused him
to roll off the bed and crash into the floor. "Iteeeee...."
A soft giggle drifted down from above. "Good morning, Shingo-kun."
Shingo looked up to see a cute face peering at him over the edge of
the bed, framed by mussed dark hair. Shoulders clothed in the short
sleeves of a silken nightgown accompanied the face, as well as some
rather spectacular cleavage. He blushed. "Ohayou, Hotaru-chan," he
said, sitting up.
"Sleep well?" Hotaru asked, still giggling.
"Yeah," he said. He picked at his undershirt and boxers, blushing
slightly. "Ummm...?"
A, E, and J: <massive facefault>
Erica: Shingo.....and Hotaru?!?!??
Brian: Well...that's been implied since Chapter 1.
Julia: Which *someone* denied access to until we started this
chapter.
Brian: ah..heh. <sweatdrop>
"You were pretty tired," Hotaru said. "You passed out on the
couch...I brought you in here and, um," she blushed, "got that tux
off of you."
Atsuko: All we needed to know, thank you very much.
Shingo turned bright red. "I see," he said.
"Don't worry, I didn't do anything hentai," Saturn said, winking.
"Turn around," she instructed. Shingo blinked sleepily, frowning, but
did so. As soon as his back was turned, he heard from behind him,
"Saturn Silver Power, Make-Up!" After several seconds, she said,
"Okay, you can look now."
Brian: Does this mean she finally gets a henshin sequence?
<pleading look>
Shingo turned to see Sailor Saturn, in her new silver fuku, standing
at the foot of the bed. "Gotta get an early start," she said.
"There's going to be a lot to do today."
Brian:<pouts> Kuso.
Erica: Can you tell he's a Saturn fan yet?
Shingo stood, shaking his head to clear the cobwebs. "Ugh...hungry,"
he muttered.
"They found all the stuff from the temple outside," Saturn said.
"We'll probably have breakfast once everyone is awake." She walked
out into the main room, and Shingo followed her.
Looking around, Shingo realized something, and groaned. "Great," he
said, "I just realized the only thing I have to wear is that blasted
tux."
Erica: Heh, didn't think to bring a change of clothes, did you>
:-)
Saturn smiled. "That's easily fixed," she said. Looking up at the
ceiling, she called out, "Mimas!"
Julia: One of Saturn's (the planet) moons?
Shingo blinked as a floating, glowing purple crystal dropped out of
the ceiling. "Good morning, Lady Saturn," it said. It whirled for a
moment, then added, "I'm sorry, I don't recognize your guest."
"This is Tsukino Shingo," Saturn said. "He's the queen's brother."
Mimas whirled again, then dipped in the air. "Good morning, Lord
Shingo," it said.
Atsuko: There's something we thought we would never hear.
"Uhhh, good morning," Shingo said.
"Mimas, Shingo-kun needs something to wear today," Saturn said.
"Please tell me what you wish to wear," Mimas said.
Brian: There would be a hentai joke here but...<glances at the
large mallet, plasma rifle, and psi-sword aimed in his direction>...it
would be hazzardous to my health.
Erica: Good decision.
<snip>
After a moment, the bedroom door slid open. "Well, this is better
than the tux," Shingo said. He now wore crisply pressed white uniform
trousers and a high-collared white jacket. The jacket was trimmed
with silver piping, and silver buttons ran down the center. The high,
stiff collar was fastened with a silver clasp shaped like a crescent
moon. He shifted for a moment, then reached down and tugged on the
white boots, adjusting them.
Erica: Nice.
Julia: And there should be an "a" between "wore" and
"crisply".
Saturn gave a whistle. "Looks good," she commented.
Shingo blushed. "Thanks," he said.
"Well, we should see if anybody else is awake," Saturn said.
Mimas began whirling more rapidly, then said, "The assistant network
reports that three other Sailor Senshi are awake and have left their
suites," it said.
Julia: Handy little device.
"Thank you, Mimas," Saturn said. "Come on, Shingo-kun, let's go."
"Hai," Shingo said, following the youngest Senshi out of the suite.
Atsuko: And also the shortest!
*****
Serenity yawned as she walked around the spacious living room of the
royal suite. There were three sofas in the room, as well as a
regal-looking love seat, sort of an informal throne for two, tucked
cozily away in the corner.
Silently giving thanks to Mercury for finding out how to do so,
Serenity touched a wall of the room. It glowed briefly, and became
transparent, letting the early morning sunshine into the room.
Erica: <blinks> She actually got up in the morning?
Julia: Stranger things have happened.
Brian: Like the whole story so far.
She glanced at the strange sculpture that had been placed against
the interior wall of the suite. They had puzzled over the statue when
they first came up; it was a featureless crystalline replica of
Sailor Moon, in her original form, from back in the days when she was
fighting the Dark Kingdom. Although the statue was colorless and
lacked any detail other than shape, it was otherwise a remarkable
likeness.
Endymion muttered a greeting as he emerged from the bedroom,
apparently less than half-awake. Serenity stepped over to him and
kissed him. "Good morning, husband," she said.
"Mmm...I could get used to that kind of greeting," Endymion said.
Serenity giggled.
"You know, I wonder...the others mentioned something about some kind
of assistant thingy..."
The royal couple both started as the statue of Sailor Moon jerked to
life, and stepped off her pedestal, bowing to them. "Your Majesties,"
she said in a crystalline version of Serenity's own voice.
All: <blinks>
Atsuko: That's....different.
"Wha--what--what are you?" Serenity asked.
"I am your personal assistant module," the statue said. "Please
forgive me for startling you."
Serenity blinked, recovering. "It's okay...you're...?"
"Your Majesties, I was instructed to display a message for you upon
my activation," the statue said.
"Uhhh...okay," Serenity said.
The air between them shimmered, and a ghostly image of the old Queen
Serenity floated in midair. "Mother..." Neo-Queen Serenity said
softly.
The old queen smiled radiantly. "My daughter," she began. "the fact
that you are seeing this means you have taken a husband, and have
brought the Crystal Palace out of dormancy. For this, I am proud of
you. You have truly become the heir to my throne.
Atsuko: Are we talking future sight here?
Erica: Nahh...just dumb luck and blind hope.
"I suspect that by now, your memories are complete enough that you
are aware that, in my time, there was no such Sailor Senshi as Sailor
Moon. This is what I would speak to you about."
Julia: That's what we were wondering as well.
The Queen paused. "For as long as the Moon Kingdom reigned, the
daughters of the line of Serenity commanded great power, but alas, we
were never well-trained in its use. With the Ginzuishou, and the
inherent power of the blood of Serenity, we were able to bring the
solar system together into one great, beautiful union, and maintained
that union throughout the Silver Millenium.
"With the Sailor Senshi to protect us from any potential threats,
there never seemed to be a reason for the royal bloodline to be
trained strictly in our powers. All we needed to know was how to call
upon the power of the Ginzuishou, and how to be good rulers.
Brian: Ahh...they became complacent (sp?)
Erica: And that's when the s**t hits the fan.
"When the Dark Kingdom invaded, I began to question this policy."
The Queen looked down, her expression sorrowful. "As those dear to
me, those who looked up to me as their Queen and as their friend,
began to fall, I began to second-guess my own power. I began to
believe that, if I had been more properly trained, had spent time in
my youth as a warrior for peace, it might have helped turn the tide
against the Dark Kingdom.
"Shortly before the end, when I realized what must come to pass, I
created the powers of a Sailor Senshi who would not appear until long
after the collapse of the Silver Millenium...Sailor Moon." She
paused. "I gave the transformation artifact for this warrior to Luna,
and instructed her to give it to you, my daughter, when next she saw
you. It was my hope that, should the Dark Kingdom ever return, the
experience you would gain as a Sailor Senshi would enable you to do
what I could not; to destroy them for all time, and live through the
final battle." She smiled again. "The very fact that you are hearing
this message means that this has come to pass, and that I was right.
"Serenity, my daughter, please remember what I have said. A queen
must know more than protocol and policies, must be able to do more
than hold court and command her warriors. A queen must know how to
fight to protect her kingdom, and her subjects, during a time of
crisis. Do not lose sight of your training, and when your children
are old enough, you must see to their training as well.
"I must bid you farewell now, my beloved daughter. Please remember
these, my final words. The light of the moon is the message of love,
and will always guide you. May you rule always in peace and
happiness, and may the line of Serenity shine brightly for all time."
The image faded slowly away.
All four: <bawling>
Neo-Queen Serenity stood gazing at the empty space, tears in her
eyes. She was smiling. "Goodbye, Mother," she said softly. "I'll make
you proud." She turned to Endymion. "Come, husband," she said, "we
have much to attend to this day."
Endymion followed his wife out of the royal suite, marveling at the
newfound confidence she displayed.
In the circular hallway surrounding the throne room, the queen and
king encountered Saturn and Shingo. The two teens bowed. "Good
morning, Your Majesties," they said.
Serenity smiled. "Good morning, Saturn, Shingo-kun. How was your
first night in the palace?"
"Just fine, Serenity-sama," Saturn said. Shingo nodded agreement.
"Nice uniform, Shingo-kun," Serenity said.
Shingo shrugged. "It's more comfortable than the tux, at any rate,"
he said, smiling. Serenity and Saturn giggled.
Atusko: Ask Tuxedo Kamen for another opinion. :-)
Four stomachs growled in perfect harmony, causing their owners to
blush. "I think Jupiter mentioned something about breakfast in the
old shrine," Serenity said. "We should probably head out there."
"Sounds good to me," Endymion said. They made their way through the
door to the east courtyard.
*****
Breakfast had been remarkable...Jupiter and Ikuko had managed to
take two weeks' worth of food for three people and turn it into a
veritable banquet for twenty-four. The portions hadn't been generous,
but they were at least filling, and hunger sated, the group returned
to the throne room. Most of the palace 'staff' wore uniforms
identical to Shingo's, except for the Ayakashi Sisters, who wore
vastly different, somewhat bizarre outfits, and Tomoe-sensei, who had
apparently talked the palace into giving him a lab coat to wear over
his uniform.
Brian: <blinks> they found a lab coat in all of that??
Erica: Like we said, stranger things have happened.
Pluto instructed everyone to kneel. "You may rise," Serenity said as
she and Endymion sat down.
"If I may, Your Majesty," Luna said from her place at the Queen's
side, "I believe it would be an appropriate time for a crash course
in court etiquette."
A, E, and J: <groan>
Serenity groaned. "Oh, Luna..."
Luna cleared her throat. "For *them*, Your Majesty."
"Oh. Um...okay, if you think," Serenity said, blushing. There was a
muted round of snickering, and Mars smacked herself on the forehead
when she thought nobody was looking.
Luna stepped forward to address the assemblage. "Before we make our
presence known to the outside world, we must know how to conduct
ourselves both in this room and in public.
"The royal court and any public encounters on the palace grounds are
considered times to observe official protocol. Official protocol
dictates that when approaching, or approached by, the Queen or King,
you must kneel. If you encounter a Sailor Senshi or one of the other
nobles, you must bow.
Erica: In other words, practice bowing.
Julia: And kneeling.
"In an informal protocol situation, which means anywhere within the
Palace aside from the throne room, you must bow to the Queen and
King, and acknowledge Senshi and nobles by the appropriate title."
"What are the appropriate titles?" Umino asked. "And who are the
nobles you keep referring to?"
"The nobles," Luna said, "are the direct relatives of Their
Majesties and the Sailor Senshi. In other words," she clarified, "the
Tsukino family are the higher-ranking nobility, while any family
member of a Sailor Senshi is a noble of lesser rank. This includes
those not currently within the palace," Luna added, "although they
have no official status at this time.
"The Queen and King are exempt from using the appropriate titles if
they choose not to. The Sailor Senshi are only required to address
the higher nobility by appropriate title. Everyone else must observe
the protocol of titles at all times."
All four: <zzzzzzzzzz.............>
"Luna," Serenity admonished gently, "you're losing them. Please get
to the point."
Luna sighed. "You already know the appropriate titles by which to
address the King and Queen," she said. "The Sailor Senshi are
addressed with the title of 'Lady', followed by the appropriate name.
Brian: If someone called them "Lord", then we might have a
problem. :-)
A, E, and J: <blink, then groan and mallet Brian>
If they are in Senshi form, you must address them as such. Otherwise,
address them by name. Regardless of rank, all other nobles are
addressed as either 'Lord' or 'Lady'."
"Why didn't she just say so in the first place?" Yuuichirou muttered
aside to Motoki.
Motoki shrugged. "I guess she thinks it's her duty to make
long-winded lectures."
Erica: Heh, that's part of it.
Luna scowled. "Perhaps you'd like to listen to a long-winded lecture
on attitude adjustment?" she snapped.
Brian: Gee....who would have thought?
Erica: Thought what <guarded look>
Brian: <smirk> That cats could get PMS?
A, E, and J:
<crashboomdamagecutkickkiblastpulverizemaimpunchtriplefatality>
Brian: <food from last month>
"No, sensei," Motoki and Yuuichirou both droned. Luna sighed, and
everyone else snickered.
"There will be more protocols to discuss once everything is running
smoothly around here," Luna said. "For now, that's all you need to
remember."
"Thank you Luna," Serenity said. There was a pause, and the queen
looked at the Ayakashi Sisters. "I assume you haven't regained the
powers you lost when the Black Moon Family influence was removed,"
she said.
Petz shook her head. "No, Your Majesty, we have not."
Serenity nodded. "Very well. Approach the throne, please."
The sisters did so, and Serenity placed her hands upon the
Ginzuishou, closing her eyes. It began to glow brightly, and a soft
wind stirred around the four women. After a moment, the Queen opened
her eyes and smiled.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Petz said. "We will serve you well." The
Ayakashi Sisters walked back to where they had been standing, and the
other courtiers noticed that each of them now bore a silver crescent
mark upon their foreheads.
Erica: Okay, this confuses me.
Julia: How so?
Erica: If the Sisters were the Palace Guards, then howtheheck
could they serve the Black Moon Family at the same time?
Brian: I'm assuming you're talking about the future Crystal
Tokyo, and I guess Lurker could be thinking something up. Right?
Pluto spoke up. "Your Majesty, we must now discuss our strategy for
revealing ourselves to the outsiders."
Serenity nodded. "Yes...after all, we need to be able to make
contact with family and friends out there, and to buy supplies in
Tokyo." She frowned. "What will we do for money?"
"That is already taken care of," Pluto said. "I took the liberty of
appointing myself the royal treasurer, and spent most of the night
setting up accounts with the palace treasury."
"The Palace has a treasury?" Serenity asked. "Wow, they were really
thorough when they hid this place."
Pluto nodded. "A modest fortune in Silver Millenium gold pieces,
polished gems, silver and platinum bars..." the others whistled.
Atsuko: And how much is that in Yen?
Erica: Put it this way: A lot, no matter what currency you use.
"Enough money to fund a fledgling kingdom," Endymion mused.
"Exactly," Pluto said.
"How did you manage to set up accounts with stuff like that
overnight?" Shingo wondered.
Pluto smiled enigmatically. "All I needed was a little time," she
said. Serenity giggled, while Endymion, the other Senshi, and the two
cats groaned.
All: <Even more massive facefault than last time>
Erica: Gad, she even does jokes!
Julia: Bad jokes at that.
"I liked her better when she was cold all the time," Venus remarked
to Jupiter.
"That takes care of one problem," Tomoe said. "The next question
is...how will people out there react when we go outside?"
There was silence for a time. "I believe it would be a mistake to
simply announce who we are to the world and hope they take it well,"
Serenity said.
Pluto nodded. "I agree, Your Majesty. Right now, the governments of
the world are all nervous about the potential of another World War."
"Right...if we reveal ourselves now, people might panic...we can't
let that happen," Saturn spoke up. There was an undercurrent of
sadness in her voice.
"But can we just sit in here and keep the world guessing?" Endymion
wondered.
"Endymion-sama," Pluto said, "Nobody knows where the Great Sphinx
came from. Does the world see it as a threat?"
Everyone blinked.
"Okay, but what about food, appliances, basic neccessities of life?"
Serenity asked. "We know the palace gives us clothing, energy, and
water, but it can't give us food, or refrigerators,
ovens...televisions..."
All: <gasp at the horror of no television.>
"Face it," Shingo spoke up, "somebody's gonna have to go outside
sooner or later, and there's that whole mob scene going on..."
"Getting large items into the palace without being noticed will be
virtually impossible," Pluto said.
"Hmmm...you know," Jupiter said, "people in Tokyo know about the
Sailor Senshi...if we're seen out there, getting stuff and bringing
it in here, maybe people will just assume we've got a new home base
and we're moving in. It wouldn't be far from the truth," she said.
"You know, she's got a point," Uranus said. "People have seen
stranger things than this around here."
Brian: Oh? Like what?
Erica: Oh...like aquatransexual martial artists, several large
monsters running around, aliens up the wazuo....
Julia: Dear? I think they get the picture.
"Okay, but what about the rest of us?" Motoki asked. "What about
when we're seen coming and going?"
There was silence. "It's too bad we don't know how Beryl's generals
teleported around so easily," Serenity commented.
Erica: Plot device forthcoming! <rings a gong>
"Hmm..." Mercury said. Everyone turned their attention to her, but
she was ignoring them. She sat down on the floor, pulling out her
computer and visor. Beeps, flashes, and occasional curses emitted
from her location, and final she gave a cheer of victory. "Got it!"
With a few more keystrokes, a section of the wall in front of her
flashed, and spat forth a small pile of eight-sided crystals. She
picked one up, examining it. Everyone gasped as she suddenly
disappeared.
"What the--?"
A few seconds later, Mercury walked in through one of the entrances
to the throne room, grinning. "Teleportation crystals," she enthused.
"Say what?" Jupiter asked.
Mercury scooped up the pile of crystals, and walked around the room,
distributing one to each of the Senshi except Pluto, and one to each
of the palace staff. "Their Majesties won't need these," she
commented, "because Serenity-sama can use the Ginzuishou to teleport,
and Endymion-sama can use the power of the Earth."
Brian: Give a whole new meaning to "earthly transportation."
Others: <groan and hit Brian>
<mega-snip>
"Can't argue with logic like that," Jupiter said.
Serenity nodded. "Alright then. I assume, Pluto, that you've got
money or credit cards for everyone?"
Pluto produced a briefcase from her subspace pocket. Inside were
several thick stacks of yen notes, as well as a small pile of plastic
cards. "It took some doing to coerce my banking associates into
approving these cards," she said, "but they're legal." She began
handing them to the Sailor Senshi.
"Now why wouldn't they--oh," Venus said, as she was handed a credit
card issued to 'Sailor Venus'. "I see."
Erica: Sailor Express: the ideal card for today's pretty suited
sailor soldier.
Julia: Accepted almost everywhere on the Earth, and in several
other dimensions.
Atsuko: Sailor Express: Don't leave the Palace without it.
"Why don't we just go out there in our regular forms?" Mars
wondered.
"Because we might still need the advantage of having a disguise to
fall back on," Pluto said. "Plus, remember, we're making it look like
the Sailor Senshi are setting up shop here."
"Right, I forgot," Mars said as Pluto handed her a card.
Brian: That was fast. Usually Mars need a couple of hours to
forget something. <ducks as a Phoenix Strike flies over his head> Was it
something I said?
Erica: Gee, I wonder.
"I'll handle ordering the appliances for the palace kitchens," Pluto
said, transforming out of Senshi form. "I have contacts who can
supply industrial-grade kitchenwares that won't ask questions."
"We won't need to worry about laundry," Mercury said from where she
was still hooked into the palace with her computer. "The palace
itself can take care of dirty clothes."
Pluto divided a stack of yen notes among the Senshi. "Use these for
groceries, toiletries, and such," she said, "as well as for public
transportation if neccessary, and anything else you might need." She
smiled. "Don't worry about expenses, we're not going broke anytime
soon." She retrieved two more stacks from the briefcase, and divided
the yen up amongst the others. "Lady Ikuko," she said, "you should go
with Sailor Jupiter to order groceries to stock the kitchens. The
rest of you," she said, "take care of getting in touch with anyone
you need to talk to, and buy whatever personal effects you need." She
paused. "Don't mention the palace or anything you've seen here to
anyone that doesn't need to know."
Serenity smiled. "Well, everyone who's leaving may leave at their
convenience. Good luck, and be careful out there."
*****
/...more news on this recent situation as it develops. And now, on a
different note...the Senshi are among us! Various reports, some rumor
and hearsay, some official eyewitness accounts, report that Tokyo's
long-standing urban legends, the Sailor Senshi, have been spotted in
various locations in Tokyo. Already, these Senshi have been seen in
grocery stores, appliance stores, and numerous other places of
business. One of our field reporters interviewed Mafuni Yoshiro of
Kichi Appliance Emporium:
"She was right there in front of me! The blond one, you know, the
one that wears orange? She paid by credit card, and get this, the
card said 'Sailor Venus' on it, and it was valid!"
Could this sudden surge of Senshi sightings be related to the
Fushigi no Suishou? Stay tuned to this station for exclusive reports
as our street beat roams Minato ward, In Search of Sailor Senshi.
Now, back to.../
"Man, what a bunch of shit!" said the young man watching the
newscast on a store television.
"Pretty ridiculous," added the girl who had walked up beside him,
giggling.
Brian: Why, oh why, do I sense a upcoming breakout of "foot in
mouth" disease?
Erica: Why, I don't know. :-)
"That's so stupid, you know? Sailor Senshi, walking around like
regular people...with credit cards, yet! Get real." He turned to the
woman next to him. "Don't you...agree..."
"Oh, definitely," Sailor Saturn agreed, nodding.
The man panicked. "Oh hell...a Sai...a Sailor..."
All: <laughing their a$$es off>
Saturn smiled sweetly. "You'll have to excuse me," she said, "I'm
going inside now to buy one of those nice digital satellite systems."
She produced a purple plastic card from someplace, and held it up.
"Don't leave home without it," she remarked, winking. Fighting to
keep from laughing out loud at the boy's expression, Saturn walked
into the electronics store.
*****
<Having no such complications, the reviewers are doing just that.>
Mika walked around, trying to get a fix on the reading she'd taken
yesterday.
When the entity had absorbed Mika's soul, shattered her mind, it had
not expected to merge so completely with the young girl. Yet, Mika's
thoughts, everything the girl knew, did, and was, all had become part
of the entity's dark consciousness. It now considered itself to be
Mika, only completely evil. A sort of...Dark Mika, she giggled to
herself. As such, she'd been able to 'become' Mika, adopt her
mannerisms and personality, enough to completely fool the girl's
family. Her body had needed rest after the strain and trauma of
merging with the powerful evil. Refreshed and recharged, Dark Mika
now roamed the shopping district, trying to track down what she'd
felt the day before.
Still, the energy field that giant crystal was throwing over Tokyo
was interfering with her senses, keeping her from getting a clear
lock on the speck of evil she had detected earlier.
As she walked, trying to pinpoint the energy, she noticed something
very powerful coming down the sidewalk across the street. She looked
over, and saw a Sailor Senshi go into a store.
She scowled as a memory welled up from somewhere within. Destruction
at the hands of the Senshi. The threat they pose. Constant, total
failure and humiliation at their hands. She clenched a fist.
Yes, the Sailor Senshi would be a definite problem. Especially since
she had no army to command...army to command? Where had that thought
come from?
And yet, she seemed to remember, on the edge of her consciousness,
commanding armies of powerful demons at one time. She tried to
remember more, about how to summon her servants. It was no use...the
knowledge was lost to her.
Brian: Oh, no. Is this who I think it is?
*Very well...I'll just have to build a new army,* she mused. But
how...? She certainly didn't have the power yet to create a
full-fledged evil servant.
Another memory welled up, from the part of her that was Mika. A
powerful creature the girl had once seen in an American film. Mika
remembered something she'd learned about that film: the producers had
actually built the creature, instead of using computers to put it
into the movie, as was the standard procedure these days. A full
animatron, requiring a sizeable puppeteering staff to operate. It now
sat in a warehouse somewhere, gathering dust.
She smiled. Yes, that would do quite nicely. Ducking into an
alleyway, she concentrated, focusing the power she'd accumulated.
Within a few minutes, she held in her hands a glowing black spark, an
evil soul like hers, only less powerful, less complete. One that
would exist only to serve her.
"Go forth, my little friend," she told it. "Seek out the lifeless
husk whose image I have burned into your essence. Once you find it,
you will be complete. Obtain energy from the humans there to make
yourself strong, then return to me...my beautiful new youma."
The youma soul rose from her hands, and shot over the rooftops,
headed across the Pacific Ocean.
Erica: It's not Godzilla, right?
Julia: That's what he promised.
*****
Shingo paced the east courtyard of the palace, trying to decide what
he wanted to do. Earlier, when Saturn had left, he'd helped Hino-san
and Yuuichirou move most of the appliances from the old temple
building to Mars' room, barely managing to convince the assistant
module, Asuka, to go along with Mars' orders and let them in. Shingo
hoped he didn't have to visit Mars very often; Asuka was nasty and
rude. *Why the hell did she have to program that thing to be such a
bitch?* he wondered.
Erica: <smirk>
Julia: <giggle>
Atsuko: <snort>
Brian: <red face>
All: ROTFLOL!!!!!
Erica:Oh, dear. I never saw that one coming.
Brian: Nice job, Lurker.
Hotaru had forbidden him to go shopping with her, saying she was
going to surprise him with a few things. He didn't really have anyone
Brian: Shingo. Be afraid. Be very afraid. :-)
Erica: You got that right. <winces under a glare> What?
Julia: And what was that supposed to mean???
Erica: <sweatdrops> Err...nothing, dear!
to visit outside, and couldn't think of anything he really needed
right now, except maybe some manga and schoolbooks from his house. He
wasn't in any particular hurry to get them, but it would be something
to do at least.
Just as he was about to try teleporting, Luna approached him. "Lord
Shingo," she called out, practicing what she had been preaching
earlier.
Shingo paled. He still hadn't gotten used to the idea of talking
cats. "Uh...hai?"
Luna looked down. "Gomen...I'd forgotten about your feelings towards
cats..." she turned to walk away.
A, E, and J: <prepare to fire several flame catapaults at Shingo>
Not heartless by any stretch of the imagination, Shingo picked up on
Luna's hurt tone, and his discomfort over the black cat began to
erode. After all, he reasoned, Luna's not going to hurt me. I know
that. Right. "Hey...Luna, wait..." he said. Luna turned around.
"Umm...look, I know we didn't get off to a good start, but...I mean,
if I'm gonna be living in the palace, I guess I can get over it." He
smiled.
Erica: <drops flameshot> That's good to see.
Luna returned the smile, and padded back over to him. "That's a very
noble attitude. I see I've made the right choice."
"Choice?" Shingo blinked. "For what?"
"As Her Majesty's advisor, I also have the task of selecting
candidates for the palace guard. It is a position of great honor, and
great responsibility," Luna said, "as the palace guards are charged
with the duty of defending the palace from both the curious as well
as the hostile." Looking up intently, she said, "I've decided to
nominate you as one of the palace guards."
Julia: <blinks> Luna....have you been somking anything?
Atsuko: <whaps Julia> Be nice.
Shingo gaped. "Me? But...but I don't even know how to fight!" he
protested. "The day I found out Hotaru is Saturn, some punk creamed
me with one punch!"
"That's because you've never been properly trained," Luna said. "A
problem easily remedied. Mars, Venus, Jupiter, the Outer Senshi,
Hino-san, Yuuichirou, even King Endymion...there are no shortage of
experienced fighters within the Palace to learn from." She paused.
"When your sister became Sailor Moon, she learned to fight fairly
quickly, even if she had problems at first." Another pause, and Luna
gave Shingo a sly grin, as though she were about to say something
naughty. "If that klutzy odango-atama could do it, you should have no
problems."
Erica: Unless klutzyness is genetic.
Brian: How do you base that?
Erica: Two words: Chibi-Usa.
Shingo blinked repeatedly, then began laughing. Luna giggled as
well. When they calmed down, Shingo said, "But why do we even need a
palace guard, with the Senshi around?"
Luna sighed. "Evil has not been extinguished, merely hindered. There
may be times when the Senshi have to leave the Crystal Palace to do
battle."
"Leaving the palace unguarded...I understand now," Shingo said.
"Also, the Senshi need bodyguards," Luna added. "They can't very
well use their powers against normal humans who are simply too
curious for their own good."
Shingo bowed his head. "Yeah, that's for sure. Especially not
Saturn."
All: <cough>
Luna looked up, concerned. "You're upset because your girlfriend's
powers are designed purely to destroy."
"I'm concerned because I know what effect it's having on her to cope
with those powers," Shingo said. "Have you heard the story of how I
found out about Sailor Saturn?"
Luna nodded. "Vaguely. I know the two of you were attacked by a
street gang, and Hotaru had to transform to drive them off."
"But the leader wouldn't leave, so she killed him," Shingo said. "I
know it's been haunting her ever since."
Luna sighed. "This is exactly why you should agree to become a
palace guard," she said. "So that kind of thing doesn't happen."
Shingo nodded. "Alright...I accept, on the condition that you make
me Hotaru's personal bodyguard."
"Of course," Luna said, smiling. "Excuse me, I need to round up the
other guard candidates. Report to the class three training facility
in half an hour." She headed off towards the old shrine building.
Shingo blinked.
"Hey, where's it at?" he wondered.
Erica: <sigh> Luna, two words: Palace maps.
*****
"Hey! Hey you, stop that vehicle!" Major Takada shouted at the
delivery van which had pulled into the middle of the crowd.
The driver and his partner jumped out, and scratched their heads as
they puzzled over a piece of paper. "This can't be the right
address," the driver said.
"That's what was in the computer," his partner replied.
"Hold it, what's this?" the major asked as he approached them. "What
are you doing here?"
"Not sure," the driver said. "We're just doing our job...the
delivery order has this address, see?" he held it out for the major
to inspect.
"Well...it's probably a mistake," Takada said. "This area's under
JSDF surveillance right now." He pointed at the towering spire of
crystal. "I don't think anybody in there could have bought
appliances."
Erica: Oh really?
"You sure?" the driver's buddy said. "I mean, you've heard about all
the Senshi sightings in town, right?"
"Senshi sightings?" Takada echoed.
"Yeah, they've been seen all over town, buying all kinds of things."
Behind them, in the street, a few more delivery vans pulled up,
their drivers staring up at the spire and wondering if they were in
the right place.
"Still though..." the major began, but was interrupted by a loud
murmuring from the crowd, and a tap on the shoulder from behind.
"Excuse me," a polite female voice said. "If you boys are finished
talking, we'd like to get our new refrigerator and range inside."
The deliverymen looked up, and gaped. Major Takada slowly turned
around, to see a beautiful aqua-haired woman and a tall, short-haired
blonde woman, both wearing shimmering sailor fuku, standing behind
him. The aqua-haired Senshi smiled politely, while her friend
smirked, arms crossed.
Erica: <laughs> Nice enterance.
Major Takada suddenly felt numb. "Uhhh...yes ma'am," he said. "Sorry
for the...delay...carry on, gentlemen," he added, never taking his
eyes off the two Senshi even as he walked back over to his jeep.
Julia: He's got a good reason to be numb.
<the others nod in agreement>
"Um, where, um..." the driver began.
The two Senshi walked over to the van, and came out carrying a
refrigerator a minute later. "You two get the range and follow us,"
the tall one said. "We'll wait for you up there."
Numbly, the deliverymen did as they were told, while the crowd
murmured in awe.
Brian:...like all good crowds do.
*****
Two security guards strolled leisurely through a warehouse, checking
to make sure everything was where it belonged.
"You know," one of them commented as they walked past a tall wooden
crate, "I'm glad they finally put that thing in a box. I get the
creeps every time I walk past it."
"Like it's gonna come alive and beat the living shit out of you?"
his partner asked, snorting. "Get real. That thing hasn't been
'alive' for over five years, and even then it took a whole damn crew
of people to run it."
"I *know*," the first guard said. "It's just...I dunno. Just being
stupid, I guess."
"Damn right you're being stupid, Wedge."
As they walked away, a black spark descended from the skylight and
passed through the crate...
A sudden flash of awareness permeated its being, searing pain
roaring through its body as wires, circuits, metal framework, PVC,
and myriad other components became as flesh; still machine, and yet
so much more. Electric muscles which barely worked at one time now
would work smoothly, flawlessly, continously, without the support of
technicians. The control circuits the puppeteers created shattered,
absorbed into its brains and body, knitting together into a new
matrix. The pain subsided, and a surge of power...dark
power...coursed through its inconceivably refitted torso.
What its essence lacked, had now been found, and what the body
lacked, it now possessed.
And for the first time in over five years, and the first time ever
with a voice truly its own, the creature raised its arms to the sky,
and roared...
Atsuko: Oh dear....
Erica: Amen to that.
"The HELL was that!?"
The two guards drew their weapons, looking around warily for the
source of the terrible sound.
"Okay, that was too weird." Wedge's gun trembled slightly in his
grasp.
"Shit, are you crazy? It's probably some practical joker out for a
good time. Alright you," the second guard shouted. "Fun's over, come
out now."
"You want me...to come out?" a deep voice boomed, echoing across the
high rafters of the warehouse.
"You heard me, wiseguy. Enough is enough. Show yourself."
"I don't think that's such a good idea," Wedge said.
"As...you...WISH!" the voice roared. The three-meter tall crate
standing against the wall of the warehouse shuddered violently,
before exploding, spraying splinters in all directions.
"Oh SHIT. Oh shit, oh shit, oh motherfucking shit..." the nervous
guard said, taking several steps back.
"How the hell...? Who's controlling it?" Wedge's partner wondered.
"Nobody controls me," the creature boomed, stalking towards them.
The building shook with each step it took.
"You...you stay back..." the rent-a-cop said. "Alright...whoever's
controlling this thing, you've made your point already! Shut it
down!"
"I SAID..." the creature bellowed. It stood directly in front of
them now. "NOBODY..." as the guards raised their guns to fire, it
seized their hands, knocking the weapons to the floor and causing
them to cry out in pain. "CONTROLS..." It grabbed each of them by the
collar using its upper arms, raising them up to its eye level.
"PRINCE..." The guards screamed as the creature's eyes began to glow,
and they felt their lifeforce being ripped from their bodies. "GORO!"
All: <you remember that massive facefault a while back? Well,
that can't even be compared to peanuts when stacked up against this
facefault. Did I mention the theater has very soft carpeting?>
Erica: Prince.....
Julia: ....Goro.....
Atsuko: ....from....
Brian: Mortal Kombat?!?!?
All: <groan> LURKER!!!!
Goro unceremoniously tossed the dead guards across the warehouse. He
flexed his three-fingered hands, examining them curiously. "At
last...at long last, I am free...free to do what I was born to do..."
*Goro,* a voice rang in his mind. *Gather energy from the humans
around you. Use the energy to bring yourself to the islands of Japan,
and find me. I have great need of your services.*
"I hear and obey, my savior," Goro rumbled. He located the
pathetically undersized exit, and stalked out of the warehouse.
*****
"Goro" created by Ed Boon and John Tobias and property of
Williams/Midway and New Line Cinema. Used without permission.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
S I Z E
D O E S
M A T T E R
"Yo quiero Taco Bell."
-D O G Z I L L A-
---
The Eternal Lost Lurker
...gettin' ficcy wit' it...
EternalLostLurker@worldnet.att.net
http://www.geocities.com/~etlostlurker
"Welcome to Turtle Bell, may I take your order?"
"rrrrRRRRROOOOOOOOAAAAAARRRrrrrr..."
"Alright, one Gamera on the half-shell coming right up!"
-------------------------------------------------------------------
All: <groan>
Brian: Final thoughts?
Erica: Very well done. A few errors in there, and a few more rough
spots, but all in all, nice job.
Julia: One question though: Won't Goro be easy to destroy? I mean, he
is a animatronic puppet, and a certain group of pretty suited soldier just
got power upgrades. Any comments on that?
Atsuko: One more thing: What does Suiseiki mean, anyway? (author's
note: I have a cheap J-E dictionary, sue me!)
Brian: Nice job Lurker! Keep up the good work!
Erica: I think that goes without saying.
Brian:Good point. Say good night Erica.
Erica: Good Night, Erica. <straight face>
All: <groan, and exit theater>
Brian Yaple