Note: Sailor Moon and all related characters are the property of Takeuchi Naoko, Toei Animation, and DIC. Ogre Battle and all related characters belong to Atlus, Nintendo, and Sony.
Sailor Moon: Quest for Marius
By D.Pung
Part 5: The Plot Thickens
PG-13
The light hurt her eyes. Sailor Earth-Anger blinked and clutched her head.
"Ohhh," she groaned. "Uranus' attack really stings!"
Someone cleared their throat.
"So, you're infighting now as well?" someone asked.
Earth-Anger blinked. She was adapting to the light, and realized several police officers were staring at her. She realized she was an interrogation room.
"What is the meaning of this?" she asked.
"Simple," began the first officer. "We arrested you on charges of three counts of murder, and several counts of destruction of public and private property. You Scouts are a threat we need off the streets."
Earth-Anger blinked. "Excuse me?!"
"Why, after all these years, do you Scouts start murdering? Or have you done it all along?" asked the officer, leaning forward. Earth-Anger suddenly realized she was cuffed.
"Hmm. I see there seems to be a misunderstanding," said Earth-Anger quietly. "First off, I am uncomfortable." She called upon her enhanced strength and snapped the cuffs easily, then wrenched the remnants off her wrists and threw them on the table. She then settled back and got comfortable, slightly amused at the expressions on the cops' faces. She sought her twin.
Sam, you there? she asked silently.
You're awake! Where are you? Sam replied.
In a police interrogation room. I'm fine, and I'm gonna try and resolve this situation. Tell Amara not to worry, and track down that bastard GT! I'll keep in touch, and keep Amara away, okay? It's a delicate situation and right now she'd only make it worse, said Mel.
Understood. Keep me informed. I'll tell the others, replied Sam before severing the communication. Earth-Anger looked up.
"Now, on to your ridiculous charges. We as of late have been dealing with a real pain in the behind we call GT, for General Trouble. He is a combination of four enemies we thought we destroyed several years ago. He has the ability of using brute strength, and then turning invisible and running away. I assume the three you are charging us with are the one in the park and the two in the cars?" she asked.
"That is correct," said the only officer who had spoken to this point. "How do you explain them?"
Earth-Anger sighed sadly. "The first one was in that bastard's grip when we got on scene, and he snapped her neck and chucked her at us as Neptune let her attack fly. Pluto and Uranus hit the bastard, and then he predictably turned invisible and ran, and we were really angry and tried to find him, to no avail."
"And the two in their cars?" he asked in disbelief.
"Also dead by the time we got there. Matter of fact, we didn't even see him that time, just spotted his footprints. I'm afraid Uranus messed that one up when she lost her temper. That is truly her fault, but it's been nothing but frustration lately, and we're all getting sick of it," she said in exasperation.
"And how did you get chucked through a tree and a wall? You said something about Uranus' attack?" he asked.
"Through a tree and a wall?" she blinked. "No wonder I had a headache. No, we were actually doing well against him, when Uranus called her attack. He moved towards Earth-Love and I, and we were caught in the area of effect. I need to speak with her about her timing. I, for one, don't appreciate being hurled through a tree, and I'm sure my twin feels the same way."
"You're being awfully co-operative. How can we be sure you're telling the truth?" the first officer asked.
"Why would I lie?" she said simply, leaning back, arms crossed, relaxed. She was trying to be nonthreatening as possible. "Besides, now that I think about it, if your officers keep their eyes open for strange occurrences, it might help us defeat this enemy."
"Well, I-" he was interrupted by the other officer, who was just hanging up his cell phone.
"That's enough," he said. He turned to Earth-Anger. "Now, you're the Scout called Sailor Earth-Anger, correct?" She nodded. "Well, I am Lieutenant Fuji Togiro. Now, while I'm inclined to believe you, my superiors say we need to verify your story with the evidence we have. This might, unfortunately, take a little while, and I must ask your continued co-operation and patience, and we must ask you to stay here. We will drop the charges pending verification of your story."
Earth-Anger closed her eyes and nodded. The things I do for us, she thought. "I will remain," she sighed as she released herself into Melanie. "As a sign of good faith."
"Thank you," Fuji said. He motioned, and two guards stepped forward. "They will take you to a holding cell. Thanks again for your co-operation."
As she was led out, he held his head in his hand. "Great," he whispered. His idiot of a captain was going to really mess this up, and he had a bad feeling about this. I'm glad we got the patient one, he thought.
* * * *
"In jail!" raged Amara. "No way she's staying in jail! We'll bust her out right now! How dare they do this to a Sailor Scout!"
"AMARA!" shouted Sam. That got her attention. "Mel knows what she is doing. She is restoring our good name. It is, as she says, imperative that we remain patient."
"Doesn't mean I have to like it," she groused. Glances were exchanged.
* * * *
"In jail?" blinked Serena. They were relaxing in a tent just prior to the battle. "And she insists she can fix things?"
"Yeah," sighed Amara. "I hate it, but we have little choice. We are too busy looking into options of tracking down GT. We don't need the police all over us, and this will get them off our back. We'll handle it, Moonface. Just wish there was a better way."
"So do we," sighed Serena. "Keep us informed."
"Will do," smiled Amara. "Good luck."
"You too," smiled Serena as the connection was cut. She glanced around.
"Not the best track record," said Raye. "Sure you still want her in charge?"
"And just how easy would it be for all of us together to deal with an invisible, rampaging beast who just happens to be composed of four generals we thought we all destroyed?" asked Amy with a raised eyebrow.
Raye was quiet at that. Trust Amy to put a factual spin on things. At least she's being herself more and more, she thought.
Serena shrugged. A knock came from the wooden frame, and the canvas was pushed aside to reveal Deneb. Lita jumped to her feet.
"Easy," she said placatingly. She glanced around, at their outfits. So, this is what they really look like. Just a bunch of little girls. Just one was strong enough to kick my butt. She shook her head. Deneb was a student of irony, and this ultimate irony was actually quite funny, even if she was the brunt of it.
"We didn't give you permission to enter," said Lita through gritted teeth, with a balled fist.
"I just came to tell you that the battle is starting, and.." she trailed off.
"And what?" asked Mina, slightly less hostile.
"I... er, that is... well, actually, um.." she trailed off.
"Apology accepted," smiled Serena. Deneb blinked in surprise. Deneb nodded, blushed, and quickly turned and left. The team glanced at her, amused.
"It really was quite obvious," grinned Serena.
"Yeah, but I wanted to make her say it," smiled Mina. "Spar for the horse."
Amy sighed in irritation as the others blinked. "That's 'Par for the course', Mina. Remind me to write up a damn encyclopedia with every single quote in the known multiverse so you have a reference to access anytime you decide you wish to mutilate them."
Mina blinked at the pure sarcasm dripping from Amy's voice. "Sorry, Ames," she said softly.
Amy blinked, and shook her head. She'd let her self-control slip again. Not that she had much since, since..
Amy brushed away small tears, aware of the concerned looks of the others. They're too nice to me. They're such good friends. They understand, and want to help. Get control of yourself, girl. It's over.
"Not as much as I am," she apologized.
"It's okay, Amy," said Serena, crouching near her. She took Amy's hand, and squeezed gently. "We are here for you. We'd rather you vent on us, because we know the reasons and we care about you."
"I know," Amy whispered. "But you can't really understand. I think dying was nicer then being assimilated."
"Oh, I think I can understand," said Darien. His expression hardened slightly. "I imagine it was about as pleasant as being ravaged by the Nega-energy, and turned against the one I love."
Amy's eyes widened as Darien chuckled at her. "Thought you'd remember that. Look at that, folks, she's a real person! Amy actually forgot something!"
Their smiles helped her mood lift. She faced Mina, and glanced at her watch. "Thanks, guys. Time. And, Mina, keep mutilating sayings. It is part of what makes you, you. MERCURY COSMIC POWER!"
The rest of the Scouts followed suit.
* * * *
Even though Mercury had said she hoped Marius would wait until her little trap was ready, they all did want her to show this battle, so they could prove themselves to everyone. It was something on all of their minds as the lead units were deployed in accordance with the battle plan. The Scouts were in the command tent when Fordham reported in.
"Destin, Fordham. I have liberated the temple, and there is indeed an Angel here, more properly, a Cherubim. She says we have been fighting angels because her sister, Mizual, signed a contract with Rashidi, and she wishes to sign a contract with us, permitting her angels to assist and counter Mizual's efforts. Her name is Yushis," he reported.
Destin only smiled. "Approved. Bring her back here, then report to the line to cover in case something slips through." He turned. "Have my unit stand ready. We will deploy to the front line when I assign Yushis' unit to her."
"Yes, Destin," smiled the Valkyrie.
It was a very short time indeed before Yushis entered the Liberation Army's camp, and an even shorter time before Yushis was inducted into the Liberation Army and assigned two Muses (stronger versions of Valkyries) and two Paladins (stronger versions of Knights). Soon, Yushis and Destin both deployed to the front line.
Things began to get interesting. The Liberation Army was forced to fight holding actions against the enemy units, the majority of which contained undead. This made the enemy units extremely resilient. They weren't really capable of dealing direct damage, but they kept on coming.
Canopus' advanced position soon proved a necessity. He quickly located the Chaos Gate, which Destin wasted no time in activating with Brunhild. After that, he fought off three units consisting of nothing but Mages and Phantoms, which were trying their damndest to get past him. They ultimately failed, the final Mage killed by Canopus' Thunder Arrow attack.
The line now extended in an arc, encompassing the marsh and completely blocking off the enemy. The enemy units, however, were strongest in the marshes. Especially a unit consisting of a Witch and a Zombie Dragon. This unit proved especially troublesome.
Every time a Liberation Army unit thought they would defeat this particular pair, the Witch would Stun Cloud the attackers and the Zombie dragon's powerful attacks would shred them, causing the unit to beat a hasty retreat and heal up. Then something occurred to Destin. He ordered Yushis forward.
Yushis moved into the fray. The Witch and Zombie Dragon started their usual, but Yushis moved first. Both Muses rained down lightning, followed by sword strikes from the Paladins, which took out the Witch, and then Yushis called upon her holy power to Banish the Zombie Dragon, destroying the unit.
"All right!" The Scouts cheered.
The Liberation Army, free of that snare, proceeded to make their way slowly across the marshes (with the exception of Fordham's and Canopus' units). The going was rough, slowed by several units of Shamans with Werewolves. Before too long, however, these units also fell before the determined Liberation Army. The line was being drawn right at the end of the marsh, and Kander Hall, Omicron's castle, was in view.
Then another unit emerged from the marsh, and attacked the northwestern-most unit, under the command of Lans. Lans promptly engaged the unit. He led his two Mages and two Paladins into combat.
"Uh, sir," said the Valkyrie at home base. "Lans just retreated from the latest fight, and requested two Ethereal Flutes for his Paladins! I just scanned and sent him them, and two Cure Ankhs! Whatever it was, he got smashed and routed. He reports two Mages, two Black Knights, and the leader is unknown, but extremely evil!"
"Fordham! Close and identify! But do NOT engage until we know what it is!" ordered Destin. "How much damage did he inflict?" he asked home base.
"None that registered!" replied the Valkyrie. She highlighted the proper mirror, and caused it to replay. Mercury wandered over. She at first just glanced, then stared. When the replay was over, she waved to the other scouts. When they gathered, she glanced at the Valkyrie.
"Play it again, please," she said. The scouts leaned forward to see.
In the meantime, the mystery unit struck again, routing Deneb's unit. She retreated, desperately calling for help and healing. These reports were passed on to Destin, and the necessary items were sent.
"It's her," said Moon. "There is no doubt."
"And she has apparently corrupted the Mages and Black Knights with her, infusing them with Nega-energy," Mercury mused.
"You getting this?" the Valkyrie asked Destin.
"So, it's the Locust?" asked Destin. "Give them a mirror."
"Destin, Fordham. Confirmed. It is the Locust," said Fordham, orbiting the evil unit, which was heading for Destin's unit.
"Well, shall we?" asked Moon. Everyone nodded, and they formed up, Mask and the cats in the middle. The Valkyrie rushed up and handed them a mirror. It was already active, allowing the Scouts to take center stage in front of the entire Liberation Army. Power surged, and an aura surrounded the scouts.
"SAILOR TELEPORT!"
The energy bubble expanded, surrounding the Scouts and shooting upwards out of the tent. Within a second, the bubble landed right near Destin's unit, in a direct intercept path of the marauding unit. The light faded, and the Scouts readied themselves. Their surroundings were dank and dreary. Stagnant water mixed with moist earth, giving off a pungent odor. They were standing on a small chunk of dry land. Rotting vegetation was everywhere. They could clearly see Destin's group on top of a nearby hill.
Mercury reached up to touch her right earring, activating her visor. She peered into the trees, waiting. After a few seconds, a negative energy signature appeared. "Okay. I've got them. They're coming directly towards our position. I don't think they are expecting us, so I would suggest an ambush."
Moon nodded. "Sounds good. Let's duck behind some trees and let them have it as they pass between us." She pointed out which ones after a quick glance at their surroundings. The Scouts hustled to their positions, and lay in wait.
* * * *
Slust nodded appraisingly. "Good plan. I still think, given another try, we could defeat the so-called Locust."
Destin glanced at him. "Possibly. However, these girls know this enemy, and can handle it themselves. To make their little ambush that much more effective, here's what we'll do. We will move forward and prepare to engage. The second they burst out of hiding, we'll withdraw. This is their fight, but we can make it easier." He activated his mirror. "In the meantime.. Yushis, Warren. This is Destin. Move in on Omicron and kick his butt. Set up a pincer attack. Warren, dispatch his guards; and Yushis, take him out."
"Very well, Destin. Myself and Saradin are en route," answered Warren.
"As you wish," came Yushis' otherworldly voice.
Destin shut down his mirror, and drew Brunhild.
"Let's go."
* * * *
Moon noted the movement of Destin. She had eavesdropped through the mirror, and relayed the info to the other Scouts. The three Sky Knights moved in front, Destin and Norn in the rear. They carefully stepped forward, now at the base of the hill.
Then, evil burst forth. Marius suddenly burst out of the trees, laughing maniacally as two Black Knights charged and two Mages prepared their spells.
Destin called upon his power through Brunhild, and dropped an Ice Cloud in the midst of his enemies. He motioned for a retreat, and Norn blasted Marius with Starlight to cover their backs.
Now, it was the Scouts' turn. As Marius raised her hands to blast the leader of the Liberation Army, a red rose impaled her palm, causing her to stop and gasp in intense pain.
"Hold it! Marius, your plans to conquer our home are evil and will not happen! I am the champion of love and justice, and in the name of the Moon," began Moon, to be joined by all the Scouts, "WE SHALL PUNISH YOU!"
"MERCURY BUBBLES BLAST!"
Mercury's mist obscured the scene momentarily, allowing the others to build up to their attacks.
* * * *
From afar, Warren and Yushis looked on. The battle for Kander Hall was already concluded. This battle was won, save for the fight that would determine who won the war. It was quite obvious that a fight was happening, though in the mirror and in real life, a thick mist obscured it. By now, everyone in the Liberation Army was watching this. Would these scantily dressed little girls really be able to defeat that which they could not? The marsh was off in the distance, but Kander Hall was at elevation, enabling a decent view of the surrounding panorama.
"Think they can do it?" asked Saradin. It was a question everyone was asking.
"Well," began Warren, to trail off as dark clouds gathered over the battlefield, crackling with electricity. Suddenly, lightning crashed to earth at the same moment a huge ball of flame blasted the mist away. Warren blinked at the power being unleashed, and looked back down at his mirror.
* * * *
"VENUS SHINING LOVE FORCE!" A golden wall of energy smashed into the two Black Knights, finishing them off, before impacting on Marius, who was suddenly quite alone. Mars' fire had incinerated the Mages even before Jupiter's lightning had struck, and all attention was now focused on the Nega-queen, who recoiled from the attack.
Marius was still focused on trying to get past the Scouts and kill Destin, and right now, Tuxedo Mask was the only thing in her way. She dodged another salvo of the lethal roses, and tried to engage him in hand-to-hand combat. Mask's cane telescoped out, and he blocked the first blow as Mercury jumped in.
"MERCURY FREEZING WAVE BURST!" The expanding ice wave enveloped Marius, eating into her and encasing her a thin layer of ice, slowing her considerably. Mercury glanced at Moon, and nodded. Moon's tiara was already glowing. "Fire in the hole!" shouted Mercury as she jumped clear. Everyone followed her example as the ice effect began to wear off.
"MOON TIARA DEVESTATION!" With that, the intense white disc impacted into Marius. The explosion predictably followed.
* * * *
Every mirror was suddenly blinded. Due to magical protection, everyone watching was saved from the blinding glare that accompanied that particular attack, but it still dazzled the vision.
Warren glanced up, blinking his eyes. A pure white dome of energy rose over the area of the fight, covering everything. A shockwave was already clearly visible, expanding rapidly, passing around them, accompanied a few seconds later by the thwump of the explosion. The light began to fade. He glanced back into the mirror.
* * * *
Marius was on her knees. Moon strode towards her to finish the job. She rose.
"I think not, Moon wench!" said Marius. Purple energy surrounded her, and she teleported away. Moon whirled. "Mercury! Track that teleport!"
Mercury already had her visor active and computer out. "Working on it!"
Moon surveyed the area. "Anyone hurt?" she asked.
"Just my eyes," said Destin, still blinking, trying to restore his vision. He had looked away at the second of impact, but without the protection the Scouts had, he was still blinded. His vision was returning to normal, and he looked up. Steam still rose from the some of the water in the area, while some was coated with ice. There was no vegetation left, and scorch marks were everywhere. The Scouts were standing together, watching Mercury.
"Got it!" smiled Mercury. "I know where she went! We can correlate with their maps to figure out what's going on."
"Great!" grinned Moon. "I think we scared her! Good job, everyone!" She turned to Destin. He smiled.
"The battle is won. Destin to all troops, report to base camp!"
* * * *
Mercury strode in, followed by Warren. The debrief was in session. Destin was talking, and paused when they entered.
"So, good job to all. I know it was a long, hard fight, and I'm glad for our newest ally, Yushis. She was instrumental in defeating that Zombie Dragon," he finished his current sentence. He glanced at Warren, who nodded. "And now, Warren seems to have some new information for us."
"Yes. Firstly, the Chaos Gate revealed the location of a new sky island, called Temple Shangri-La. We must journey there next. Our enemy seems to be Gares." Collective murmurs answered that statement, and Aisha's brows contracted into a cold expression that had no right being on any healer's face. "We have received a rumor that General Debonair is imprisoned there as well." Norn smiled radiantly at that. "The procedure is the same as the other sky islands- namely, rapid liberation and surrounding of the enemies. Now, on to other matters, namely concerning our guests." He indicated the Scouts, who were basking in the impressed congratulations of the rebels. "Mercury here traced the Locust's teleport. After poring over the maps, the end location of that teleport is Temple Shalina." The room went silent. "As we all know, that is Rashidi's home base. This, combined with the fact the Locust was using corrupted versions of Imperial troops, suggests that they are working together to acquire the Zodiac Stones. Sailor Mercury," finished Warren.
Mercury stepped forward. "We have completed plans for a device to entrap the power Marius uses to transfer. This device, which I am working on, will restore the power to where it belongs and send her to where she belongs, with a 95.3% chance of success. But it must be used after she is weakened."
Warren spoke up again. "Therefore, I propose a special insertion mission..."
* * * *
Melanie paced impatiently. She had already been here for almost a day and a half. She was in a holding cell with other undesirables, who were looking at her pacing. It was obvious that her pacing wasn't the only thing they were looking at, but she was attempting to ignore that.
With little success. Every second seemed to drag on, time lasting an eternity. What the hell is taking so long? she wondered. She sought her twin. Sam?
Mel? How's it going? Sam answered. Still being held?
Yeah. This is getting old. I shouldn't be here. They had to have confirmed it by now, she sighed mentally. Why am I still here?
Think they're jerking you around? asked Sam.
I'm almost positive that someone is. And this cell I'm in doesn't help, what with the lowlifes staring at me in.. in ways that make me feel dirty, Mel thought. I'm getting tired of this.
Wow. Your legendary patience is being exhausted? Yeah, being as pretty as we Scouts are definitely doesn't help in a place like that. Hang in there... Or do you want to be busted out? asked Sam.
Mel stopped abruptly, having made a decision. Don't bother. Just meet me when I call you. I'm gonna do one of two things.. get the guard to get someone with authority and get me out, or break myself out. I've had it.
Uh, okay, sis. Just be careful. We'll be waiting, Sam said.
Later, Mel thought as she terminated the connection. She turned to where the guard sat in the booth nearby.
"Excuse me," she said. The guard didn't appear to hear.
"Excuse me!" she said, clutching the bars, and speaking loudly, more insistently. The guard looked up.
"What do you want?" he asked, bored.
"I want out of here. Get me Lieutenant Togiro!" demanded Melanie. "I've been patient enough!"
"What makes you think the Lieutenant has time for you?" he sneered. He laughed. "Who exactly do you think you are?"
"Yeah, sweet little thing, cool it. Girls pretty as you should know their place. Come here, and let's have some fun," leered a nearby inmate. He stood and approached her.
She glared at him in disgust. "Stay away from me." She backed away from the bars, noting the guard looking on with interest.
The inmate laughed, and his hand moved swiftly. Melanie gasped as his hand roughly grabbed her chest. She slapped him with all her might.
The guard was roaring with laughter at this. The inmate seemed to find it funny. He came at her again.
In her time as a Scout, Melanie had prided herself on her sheer endurance and patience. But, being sleepless for over 24 hours, plus being in a place like this, where she was being wrongly held, plus the guard's attitude, did something no one expected to see.
Melanie lost her temper. She stood erect. Her hand rose.
"I HAVE HAD ENOUGH! I am not here for any good reason, and no one has shown me any reason I should stay! There has been more than enough time to confirm the facts! This farce is over! EARTH COSMIC POWER!" she shouted at the top of her lungs. Spiritual flowers spiraled around her, heralding her change into Sailor Earth-Anger.
The inmate paused only for a second, then leered at her and reached.
There was a good reason the Scouts tried to avoid fighting around innocents. In Scout form, their speed went through the roof, as did their punishment-absorbing potential, and as did their strength. Their attacks could very well be lethal, even their weakest ones.
Earth-Anger cared about none of this. She balled her fist, reared back, and punched. There was an audible cracking, accompanied by a whooshing sound, as the inmate's ribs were cracked and the air driven out of him. The follow-through of the punch landed the inmate into the wall twenty feet behind him.
Literally. The impact of the inmate caused more bones to break and put him a full six inches into the reinforced concrete wall, partly collapsing it. The cell went dead silent, all laughter ceasing. Her glare swept the cell, causing every inmate in it to cower. They tried to make themselves as small as possible. In the silence, his hoarse breathing, a high-pitched wheeze, made it clear he was not dead, but only because she had chosen not to kill. She turned and faced the cell door.
The guard was staring, open-mouthed.
She grasped the door on either side as his fingers slid under the booth counter-top and pressed a button. She wrenched the door off its hinges effortlessly, and chucked it aside as alarms began sounding. The sound only infuriated her further. She stalked towards the door. The guard stepped out of the booth, leveling a shotgun at her. Earth-Anger paused. She wasn't sure if she would be well protected against a firearm at point-blank range. Then she realized she didn't care. She raised her hand.
"EARTH ANGER GROWTH!"
Vines burst with astonishing speed from the walls and the floor, cracking the concrete all around. Within a matter of seconds, the guard was completely entwined, the shotgun now facing at his foot.
"Go ahead. Pull the trigger. It's your foot."
With that cold phrase, Sailor Earth-Anger moved towards the heavy steel door that separated the cell area from the rest of the police station and raised her fist..
TO BE CONTINUED...