AUTHOR'S DISCLAIMER: YOU KNOW THE DRILL SAILOR MOON AIN'T MINE! EVEN THOUGH I WISH IT WAS. IF YOU'RE SO INCLINED DROP ME A LINE AT: BIGMOUTH@UNSPACY.ORG. THIS STORY IS OUT OF CONTINUITY TO THE REST OF MY OTHER STORIES. (IN SHORT IT'S AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE/TIME LINE)
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THE FOURTH LIGHT (BY INVID HELLCAT)
CHAPTER FOUR: BREAK THE SILENCE
Somewhere Else:
It had been two days since Thornite and Katrina had their fateful
meeting at the cemetery. Two days since she had died and been brought
back to life. Two long days of relearning exactly who she was, and what
she was supposed to be doing. Now the time of learning is over and the
time for action has begun. Thornite was readying a Diamon Pod for her
next move against the Sailor Senshi that had cost her so much. She
knew that this time she had to succeed or else the next time she died
she would stay dead. Her new plan was not to attack Sailor Star Dancer
and Sailor Neptune directly but rather go after those they loved and
break them that way. She would give them a choice their own hearts or
their loved ones naturally of course it would make no difference she
would get them all. Her first targets would be Katrina's parents.
Thornite had visions of watching Katrina watch in horror as her mother
and father's heart crystals were taken from them, and her powerless to
do anything about it. Yes, this time Thornite would prove that the
doctor's trust in her was not misplaced. She would be victorious
whether or not Katrina and Sailor Neptune had pure hearts or not matter
little to her she would see them both dead in any case. Just then the
timing bell went off letting Thornite know that her newest Heart
Snatcher was ready. With that Thornite and the Heart Snatcher left the
lab in search of their prey.
University of Tokyo:
Katrina and Michiru were walking around the campus waiting for
Katrina's mother to take her lunch break. The plan was that the two
girls were going to meet Ms. Asamov for lunch this was going to be
the first time that Michiru would meet either one of Katrina's parents.
"Nervous?" Katrina asked as she and Michiru took a seat on a bench just
outside the campus library. "Not really, your mom isn't the first
parent of a friend I've met before." Michiru replied as she took
Katrina's hand in her own. "Yeah, but what about the mother of a
girlfriend?" Katrina asked as she gave Michiru a quick kiss on the
cheek. Michiru laughed and kissed her back. "That too." She whispered
into Kat's ear. About five minuets later Kat's mom came into the view
of the girls. They got up and walked over to her. "Ah, there you are."
Aloyna Asamov said as she saw Kat. "Hi, mom." Kat responded as she
hugged her. "Mom, this is my friend Kaioh Michiru, Michiru this is my
mom Aloyna." Kat introduced. Michiru bowed slightly "How do you do?"
she asked. "I am fine and yourself?" Aloyna asked as she too bowed
slightly. "Just fine it's a pleasure to meet you." Michiru responded
then the three went to the cafÈ down the street.
University Walk CafÈ:
Aloyna, Kat, and Michiru took a seat at a table near the window. They
all ordered a cup of coffee and a ham and cheese sandwich with a side
salad. During the lunch Kat's mom asked Michiru the usual questions
that a parent would ask a friend of her child that she is meeting for
the first time. Michiru answered all of the questions making up some
answers to avoid any strange appearances. Aloyna seemed to be
satisfied with the answers that she was given she even seemed unaware
that some of the answers she was given were less than truthful. A few
minuets later Aloyna excused herself to go and use the ladies room. As
soon as she turned her back on the girls Michiru expression got very
serious and she leaned in towards Kat's ear. "I feel the sea crying
out, our heart snatching adversaries are on the move again. Be
careful." She whispered. "I will be, but I just have a gut feeling that
I'm no longer the main target. I think she's going to start going after
my family." Kat replied in a whisper of her own. Michiru asked why she
felt that way and Kat responded that she wasn't sure why she just did.
It was just then when Kat's mom came back. She sat down again and then
the three started talking again. About fifteen minuets later Aloyna
told the girls that it was time for her to get back to work. She said
hugged Katrina and said her goodbyes to Michiru and told that it had
been a pleasure meeting her. The two girls decided to stay in the cafÈ
a little longer mostly because the next bus back home would be arriving
in a little over an hour. However ten minuets had barely passed when
they heard an explosion. Neither Michiru nor Katrina said a word they
just looked at each other and darted out the door towards the campus.
University of Tokyo:
Kat and Michiru arrived on campus only to find a large smoking crater
where the freshman parking lot should have been. "Three guesses?" Kat
said as she looked at Michiru who was pulling out her henshin stick.
"Right." Kat replied to Michiru's unspoken response. A small
microphone headset appeared over Kat's ear. "Dancer Star Power,
Makeup!" A dome of star shaped light surrounded her and seconds later
the Starlight Senshi Sailor Star Dancer stood in Katrina's place.
"Neptune Planet Power, Makeup!" Michiru commanded her powers to life.
In a flood of the mighty ocean itself the Senshi of Elegance Sailor
Neptune replaced Kaioh Michiru. The two Senshi started running towards
the middle of the campus. "Looks like your hunch was right after all."
Neptune said. "That's what I was afraid of Neptune. Let's put to a stop
to this now before more people get hurt." Dancer responded. A second
explosion rocked the ground nearly throwing the running Senshi off
their feet. When they regained their bearings they noticed a huge whole
in the side of the Library building, and people running and screaming
in a panic out of that same building. Neptune and Star Dancer ran
against the fleeing crowd, and straight into the attacked building.
About ten feet into the building the Senshi saw a sight that made them
sick to their stomachs they saw a man laying on the ground his body
severely burned. Neptune put her fingers to his neck. "He's dead." Was
all Michiru could say. Then they heard a cruel sounding laugh. "Of
course he's dead. I killed him turned out he didn't have a pure heart
anyway." The voice spoke through its laughter. "Thornite, come out and
fight us!" Sailor Star Dancer yelled. "Oh I don't fight my dear Katrina
I let my Diamons do all the dirty work. You should have at least
learned that much by now." She laughed as she stepped into the light
and then vanished into thin air only to be replaced by an
aforementioned Heart Snatcher. It looked like a porcelain fox statue
come to life "Oh don't worry little girls you'll be joining this man
in the land of the dead soon enough." The Heart Snatcher growled as it
leapt towards the Senshi. "Don't underestimate what 'little girls' can
do." Star Dancer warned as she easily avoided the Diamon's attack. With
it's back fully to Sailor Neptune and its attention totally focused on
Star Dancer it never saw the incoming attack from Sailor Neptune. "Deep
Submerge!" Neptune shouted as her attack sprang to life. It made a
direct impact on the middle of the Heart Snatcher's back. It howled in
pain as it turned around to face its attacker. "You will not win." It
croaked as it lumbered forward hunched over in pain. "No, we already
have won." Dancer said as she lifted her arm open palm facing the
enemy. "Star Tranquil Scorch!" A beam of intense yellow light shot of
her hand and impacted on the Heart Snatcher. A small fox statue fell to
floor and an oval shaped object fell out of it and cracked open
revealing a black shadowy figure that dissipated into nothing. Neptune
gave Dancer a serious look. "This was far too easy. Come on we better
find your mom." She said as she and Star Dancer started to leave the
library, but before they got even two steps Thornite reappeared along
with a second Diamon this time she had a woman slung over her shoulder
and the second Heart Snatcher had a man slung over it's shoulder. "Good
guess Senshi but Katrina do you think you could find and save both of
your parents before nightfall tomorrow? Now if that task seems to hard
for you, you and Sailor Neptune can always give up your heart crystals
to me now and I promise to never attack your parents again. What do
you say?" Thornite challenged in a condescending manner. Kat couldn't
respond she was on her knees and crying before Thornite had even
finished speaking. But then she found her voice. "Thornite leave my
parents out of this. Just fight me one on one and if you win then you
can have my heart crystal, but if you lose I'll have your head."
Katrina replied through clenched teeth. "Now, now my dear it's my
terms or no deal." Thornite shot back. "So, I hope you and your gal
pal are good hunters because you've got until nightfall tomorrow to
find your parents if you don't well then their heart crystals won't be
the only thing they loose. Your dad will be to the west and your mom
to the east that's the only clue you'll get. Now you better hurry up
and find them the clock is ticking." Thornite said as she again
vanished from sight. Sailor Neptune walked up to her partner who was
once again on the verge of tears and gently put her hand on her
shoulder. "We'll find them honey I promise you that." The Senshi of the
Sea soothed as Star Dancer turned around and wrapped her arms around
Neptune as tightly as she could deep sobs wracking her body. The two
stayed like this for several minuets until Star Dancer had recollected
herself. Then they left the campus headed for home.
Katrina's House:
Michiru felt sorry for the young woman laying on the couch right now
she looked so peaceful. But Michiru was sure that was nothing more than
a faÁade brought on by sleep. She didn't want to even begin to guess
what was going through Kat's mind. It had been just over two weeks ago
that Kat watched her best friend die in her arms, and now this her
parents kidnapped by her most mortal enemy. 'Only if Sailor Uranus were
here then things would all be better. She'd know how to handle this
situation.' Michiru thought to herself as she gently ran a finger
across Kat's forehead. Kat had practically cried herself asleep on the
bus ride home. Michiru was devastated to see the girl she loved so much
in so much pain and anguish. "I'm sorry love, I'm so sorry." Michiru
said aloud as she continued to watch her partner tears rolling down
her face. Once again there was a battle going on inside of Michiru.
Michiru wanted nothing more than to make Katrina happy, and take away
her burdens, but then there was Sailor Neptune that was displeased
with Michiru growing so fond of a probable Talisman carrier. Sailor
Neptune didn't want to have her judgment clouded by emotions when the
time came to find out if she was or wasn't. A few moments later Katrina
awoke she slowly sat up and just started blankly at Michiru. "How long
have I been asleep?" She asked as she stretched her arms. "About three
hours. Who are you going to look for first? Your mom or dad?" Michiru
asked as she put her hands in Katrina's. Kat lifted her gaze so that
it met Michiru's and just shook her head. "Maybe I should just give up
my heart crystal at least that way my parents will be safe." She said
in a choked voice as tears once again made their way down her cheeks.
She wrapped her arms around Michiru as tight as she could. Michiru
gently rocked Kat back and forth and ran her fingers though her hair.
Then she slowly pulled Kat's face away from her body and dried a few
of Kat's tears. "You can't there are too many people counting on you.
You only need to give up your heart crystal if you hold one of the
Talismans. Now we need to get going the clock is ticking after all."
Michiru told Kat in an attempt to bring some kind of comfort and
desire to act in the girl. Kat took in a deep a breath. "You're right
let's go rescue my patents, and put an end to this madness once and
for all." Kat responded as she stood up and gave Michiru a kiss and
thanked her for her being there. Michiru kissed her back and reminded
her that's what friends are for.
Elsewhere:
A woman was crying from fear. She had no earthly idea of why she was
being held captive she could tell that her feet were off the ground.
She couldn't see anything but she couldn't feel anything covering her
eyes so she knew that the room she was in had to be dark. She could
feel cold metal around her wrists that was holding her off the ground.
She heard what sounded like a door opening and closing. "Ah, so Mrs.
Asamov you're finally awake. It sounds like you don't like your current
arrangements well too bad, but don't worry you won't have to complain
for very long. Either your daughter and her girlfriend will come and
save you or they won't and you die. So, just hang in there a little
longer." She heard a female voice say as it then laughed. The laughter
was the most evil sounding thing that Aloyna Asamov had ever heard.
Even though Aloyna wasn't a real religious woman she nonetheless
muttered a silent prayer to any god that was willing to listen to save
her from this evil. What she couldn't figure out was why did she say
that Katrina and Michiru would come. It made no sense they were just
children and kidnapping was not something that children need to concern
themselves with. The evil laugh stopped and then the voice started
again. "I know you must be wondering about your daughter and her
girlfriend. Well, don't worry you'll know that in time. Now be a good
girl Mrs. Asamov." The voice said again as she heard the door open and
close again. Outside the door Thornite was talking to her Diamon Heart
Snatcher. "Listen if I know my adversaries they'll be splitting up and
I have a strong hunch that Katrina will be coming here I don't care how
you do it but stop her just don't kill her that right has been reserved
for me, and whatever you do, do not underestimate her powers nor her
abilities if you do then you're dead understand?" Thornite instructed
the Heart Snatcher. The creature bowed. "Understood Mistress." It
replied. Thornite walked off into the dimly lit room, going to give her
other Heart Snatcher its instructions. The Heart Snatcher that Thornite
had just talked to looked like a sheet of steel come to life. The
creature didn't move an inch knowing that at any moment it would get
the action it desired. It was going to enjoy beating her mistress's
enemy into submission. It was now only a matter of time.
Kat's House:
The two girls were mapping out a plan of action. They knew the time
limit sun set the next night. That gave them the rest of today and
most of tomorrow, so they knew that they had to act quickly. Michiru
suggested that they split up she said it was the only way that they
would be able to find them both. Kat didn't like the idea of going out
on her own even though she had proved herself before she still felt a
little unsure of herself, but she also knew that it was the best course
of action to take. They were looking over a map of Tokyo trying to
figure out where the best place to start looking was. "Thornite said
that my mom would be to the east, and my dad in the west. What could
she have meant by that?" Kat asked to Michiru. Looking over the map
Michiru noticed something. "East Tokyo Academy of the Americas, it's a
school that is mostly attended by the children of American military
personnel stationed in or around Tokyo, but it partly burned down a
few weeks ago and has been closed until they get the repairs finished.
I'd bet that's where your mom is." Michiru stated as she continued to
look at the map for what could the most possible place where they could
find Kat's dad. The two girls continued to look over the map Kat put
her finger on the place where they figured her mom was being kept and
ran her finger straight west from that spot then she stopped when
something caught her eyes. "Western Tokyo Dance Hall. What do you
think Michiru?" Kat asked. Michiru looked at the map for a second.
"Could be the building itself has been abandoned for about a year.
Listen love, let me try and find your mom I have a hunch that will be
the more heavily guarded, and that they'll be expecting you there so I
go I throw a monkey wrench in their plans." Michiru stated as Kat
looked on. Kat was figuring the same thing but she was still reluctant
to accept Michiru's offer, however, Kat felt it best that she go along
with the plan. They had their basic game plan formed, and now it was
time to execute that plan. With a kiss the two Senshi told each other
good luck and went their separate ways.
East Tokyo Academy of the Americas:
As expected Sailor Neptune had no difficulty making the trip to the
school, but as expected she saw that the school itself was rather
heavily guarded. She could see what she figured were two Heart
Snatchers at the door she figured that at least one more was inside
the building maybe even Thornite herself. "Damn I knew that this wasn't
going to be easy but I had no idea it was going to be like this." The
Senshi of the Sea whispered to herself. She knew that she was in for a
fight all the way. Oh how she wished Sailor Uranus was here. It would
be so much easier but she wasn't here Neptune knew that she had to do
this on her own. She had to do this for the girl that she loved. She
had to do this to save an innocent woman from an unimaginable fate.
She saw her chance to strike both of the Heart Snatchers turned their
backs. "Deep Submerge!" The Sea Senshi commanded her powers to life as
a ringed sphere shot towards one of the creatures. It impacted on it's
back she could hear the thing yell in pain. Then she could see a
shadowy figure arise and disappear from where the Heart Snatcher once
stood. The second creature turned around at hearing its comrade yell
out then die. It shot a black bolt of energy from where it thought the
attack had come. The blast just missed Sailor Neptune by millimeters.
The creature said nothing it kept pressing its attack. Neptune was
able to avoid all of the attacks but she knew that she couldn't keep up
this pace for too much longer. She had to end this fight soon. She got
her chance when the Heart Snatcher stopped using its energy attacks and
started in on a blind charge. 'What is that thing trying to fight me
unarmed?' The teal haired Senshi thought to herself confused by the
things actions. "Deep Submerge!" She once again said to activate her
power. Once again the attack found its mark. The sound she heard from
the creature was a laughter then it spoke. "You've sealed your own doom
Sailor Senshi." Instead of seeing some kind of object fall to the
ground she saw several small silvery objects fly towards her. "When
one touches you, you loose your heart crystal." The creature said just
before it exploded. The unexpected explosion knocked Sailor Neptune
off her feet. She stared in horror as the objects flew towards her at
blinding speeds. A feeling of dread came over her as she waited for
the end to come. As one of the silvery objects was about to hit her
she could have sworn she heard a female voice. It seemed familiar yet
she knew she had never heard that voice before in her life. "No, now
is not the right time, but fear not Kaioh Michiru all will come to
pass as it needs to. All will be revealed to you when it needs to."
The voice whispered. The next thing Michiru knew she was inside the
building. She had no idea what had just happened, but she did know one
thing she was uninjured. Somehow she had been given a second chance
and she no had intention of failing. She stood up ready to continue
her search for Kat's mother. She thought she could hear muffled voices
down the dimly lit hallway. Her gut feeling was to follow the sound
but after what had happened outside she figured that it could be
another trap. She knew that she had gotten lucky she couldn't afford
any more mistakes or missteps. "I'll take my chances." She whispered
to herself. Then she started walking down the hall expecting a trap
every step of the way. The path to the spot where she had heard the
voices coming from was devoid of any sort of traps that she could see.
Sailor Neptune stopped at a door that was slightly ajar slowly taking
a peek inside the room. She saw Aloyna was about a foot off the floor
chain bound her wrists above her head her feet were likewise bound
together. The Sea Senshi saw not one but two heart snatchers. One
appeared to be sheet metal with arms and legs the other a coffee can
come to life. She was wondering if they were anything like the one
heart snatcher that she had encountered outside. If they were then it
was over there wasn't enough room to dodge them and Mrs. Asamov
wouldn't have a chance. The last thing that Michiru wanted to do was
give Katrina two more people that she loved to greave over. Michiru
knew that she had to watch her step because she had a feeling that
whatever had saved her outside wouldn't do so again. One such miracle
was slim enough but two in less than five minuets was down right
impossible. "Well here I go time to stick my head in the lion's mouth."
She whispered to herself as she walked into the dimly lit gym.
Western Tokyo Dance Hall:
The building was in a sad state of disrepair. The sign above the door
was missing two letters per word, and several of the windows were
either cracked or broken. Not to mention the once bright orange paint
was now almost a dull brownish looking color. The inside wasn't much
better. Glass from the broken windows littered the floor, as did pieces
of the ceiling tile and light fixture covers. Some of the ceiling
tiles had completely fallen to the floor others barely hung where they
supposed to be. There was one desk and chair inside the deserted
building and they were both just layered with dust. The paint on the
walls was chipping in some places and in others it had completely
pealed off. The whole place smelled of dust, mold and mildew. The
stench was almost so over powering that Kat was getting sick to her
stomach. Kat said a silent prayer to whatever deity would listen that
her father was indeed in this forsaken place. The last thing she wanted
to find out was that this was just a wild goose chase. Slowly and as
silently as she could Sailor Star Dancer made her way through the
former dance hall. She came to a staircase and she could hear voices
coming from upstairs. She couldn't make out what they were saying but
it seemed as if both voices were female. 'Well looks like I'm about to
find out if my hunch is right.' Star Dancer thought to herself as she
began to ascend the stairs. As she climbed the stairs the voices
became clearer. She recognized one of the voices instantly. "Great
she's here Thornite is here.' Kat thought to herself. Thing had just
gone from hard to harder. She froze in her tracks nearly panicking.
She had proved that she could more than hold her own against a heart
snatcher, but she wasn't sure if she was ready to take on Thornite
one-on-one just yet. She just didn't know how she could defeat Thornite
with out killing her. She knew that there had to be some way to revive
the person that Thornite used to be before the tragic loss of her
parents. That brief meeting in the graveyard had changed everything
that Kat had thought her enemy. Something inside of the young Russian
told her that deep down the real Thornite wasn't at all evil, but a
truly kind and caring person that needed help finding a way out of
it's prison of pure evil. Sailor Star Dancer continued her climb at
one point she heard Thornite swear loudly. "The new prototype has been
destroyed. I need to leave here. Watch over this pathetic human until
I return, and keep your damn guard up. I have a feeling that you're
about to have some unwanted company real soon. When that damn Senshi
shows up take her heart crystal, and report back to me." Thornite
instructed the creature as she teleported away. "Good that's one
problem down, but that heart snatcher to go." Kat whispered to herself.
She was now standing just outside the room that the voices had come
from. She went to slowly peek into the room to see if could see her
father but before she could a spider crawled in front of her face.
She let a yelp of shock as she started to back peddle but she lost her
balance and fell flat on her butt. She knew that thanks to that
arachnid she had lost the element of surprise. The heart snatcher had
come out to investigate the noise, and found Star Dancer just starting
to get to her feet. "Well, the mistress was correct but I wasn't
expecting you this soon." The heart snatcher laughed. The creature
looked hypodermic needle. "You look pale let give you something to
clear that up." It held up one of its hands and shot out a few dozen
smaller needles that were dripping with some kind of liquid. Kat's mind
was screaming that the stuff oozing off the needles was some kind of
poison. She had just recollected enough to avoid the barrage. "Not too
bad little girl but lets see you dodge this one." It sneered as a
black star appeared about the middle of the creature's body. Kat
remembered this from her first encounter with a heart snatcher. She'd
never forget the pain. It was a pain that just had no mortal
description. The second that the black beam shot out towards the Star
Light she jumped out of its path. "No, never again! You'll never again
put me through such pain!" The Russian shouted as loud as she could.
She raised her hand. "I'm going to send you straight to hell you
monster!" She continued to shout. Star Dancer raised her hand. "Star
Tranquil Scorch!" An intense beam of yellow energy shot out of her
hand. The creature saw this and threw a second barrage of needles at
it. The two attacks collided one with another and the result was an
explosion that knocked both combatants off their feet. When the smoke
cleared Star Dancer saw that the heart snatcher was gone. After she
stood up, she stared into the room that she was going to go in
originally. She saw a shadow coming from the other end of the room.
"If you give up I'll go easy on you." The Star Light Warrior said
trying to lure her adversary out of hiding. Her only response was a
wicked laugh. "That's the oldest line in the book my dear Sailor
Senshi, but you have it all wrong you're the one that's going to die."
The creature said as it continued to laugh. Kat saw the thing take a
step out into the open. Star Dancer wasted no time and raised her arm.
"Star Tranquil..." she started but before she could finish the creature
pulled her father in front of it. "If you want to kill me you'll have
go through him to do it." The thing hissed. "Daddy, NO!!!" Kat
screamed as she lowered her arms and feel to the floor in tears.
TO BE CONTINUED