Note: Sailor Moon and all related characters are the property of Takeuchi Naoko, Toei Animation, and DIC. Star Trek and all characters are the property of Gene Roddenberry and Paramount Studios. Final Fantasy VII and all characters are the property of Squaresoft and Sony.
Sailor Moon Alternity
By Daryll Pung
Part 6: War Of The Worlds
PG-13
Chapter 1: A Bleak Homecoming
The white energy faded and the Scouts hit the ground with a thump.
"We made it!" said Luna in relief. They were in the park. Patches of gray mist obscured their vision in some areas, and a familiar, cocky person was leaning against a nearby tree.
"Stryfe!" said Serena.
He smiled as he walked over. "Glad you made it.... Things are getting serious."
The Scouts regained their feet, noticing streams of people walking by the park.
"What's going on?" asked Mina, quietly.
"These people have been told to gather by Darkstrike. His name has already begun to be a curse. Everyone's bemoaning the loss of the Sailor Scouts, and in about two hours, he's got an announcement to make," said Stryfe grimly.
"So we have two hours to prepare," said Artemis.
"Let's go to your hide-out and get ready," said Serena softly.
Stryfe nodded, and led the way.
* * * *
"So, no matter what happens before Darkstrike is destroyed, it will all be normal after he's gone?" asked Raye.
"Normal for what people would usually be doing. I'm still trying to come up with some way we can prevent his vortices from hitting you....." Stryfe trailed off, eyeing Amy's PADD.
"Where did you get that?" he asked.
"Aboard the Enterprise," Amy answered, typing on it. Stryfe looked around and spotted the green orb in the Crescent Wand hanging at Serena's side.
"And what's that?" he asked quietly.
Serena glanced down. "Oh, that's a spare Comet Materia that Yuffie gave us during the fight against WEAPON."
An idea began to form in Stryfe's mind. He was aware of the curious looks the Scouts directed at him.
"Hmmm.... that may be the key to defeating him," muttered Stryfe. He stood up and began to pace.
"What may be?" asked Lita.
"Using the strength of the multiverse against him. If we of the Order unite, we may be able to block his planar attacks from happening.... I've got some calls to make," Stryfe said, moving towards the computer consoles.
"Don't bother contacting Mack," said Darien somberly.
"Why?" Stryfe asked suspiciously.
"We saw him die," said Hotaru quietly. Reeni began to cry. Darien and Serena moved to comfort her as Stryfe grimly accepted the news.
"Well, there's still three other members of the Order on that Prime," said Stryfe. "Excuse me." He turned and sat down, hands moving rapidly across the screens, as he began calling up all other members of the Order.
Serena glanced at the thoughtful frown on Amy and Michelle's faces. "Anything yet?" she asked.
"Maybe," said Amy. She looked back down at the PADD. "We might be able to trick him...." her voice trailed off and her eyes widened as she read something.
"What?" asked Trista.
"I know how we can fight him without being sent to other Primes," said Amy, pointing at the PADD. That caused Stryfe to turn in his chair and look at her. He glanced at the words on the PADD.
"Of course! I am such an idiot!" he said, smacking himself in the forehead. "The Border Ethereal!"
Chapter 2: Hopes And Announcements
"The Border Ethereal?" asked Raye.
"Remember? Stryfe explained that the Primes are all separated by another plane called the Ethereal plane. Nodes only work between Primes, and since the Ethereal is all over the place in the form of those mists, we can go through those to escape the vortices!" said Michelle excitedly.
"And the nature of the Ethereal is such that travel is quicker through it, if a bit confusing," said Stryfe.
"What do you mean?" asked Amy.
"It's nothing but grayness, with indistinct shadows that reflect the nearest Prime. You can move three times as fast through the Ethereal than you can normally. You can also pass through solid objects that you normally couldn't," Stryfe explained.
"So...how do we find our way around?" asked Amara.
"It's actually simple," grinned Stryfe.
"Well, explain," demanded Serena.
"Close your eyes and think where you want to be.... And then walk," he smiled. "When you open your eyes, you will be where you wanted to be."
"How will you know?" queried Melanie.
"You'll feel your surroundings change, and then you'll just know. It's that simple," Stryfe explained. "It's nothing more, nothing less. Thought is the essence that defines the Ethereal plane. Even better, because we've already cut him out of the Order... Darkstrike will be powerless if he enters the Ethereal plane. That also reminds me of a way we can render him powerless as far as the Order is concerned.... No more vortices or other planar attacks. Trick him into the Ethereal once, and our combined willpower can strip him of all remaining Order powers! He will still have the essence of the Negaverse, but he will be that much easier to beat," declared Stryfe.
"So we just have to make sure we get him to follow us into the mists once, and we will be able to fight him like normal Nega-creeps?" asked Lita.
"Yeah," said Stryfe. He turned to the monitors. "You all gettin' this?" he asked the other members of the Order.
"You realize, Stryfe, that you will have to be there along with them?" commented Derrelli from the monitor.
"And that this mission will require stealth and surprise.... Namely, your Scouts will have to approach as they are now and reveal themselves?" Dev asked thoughtfully through another monitor.
"Why?!" asked Samantha in surprise.
"If he sees you coming, he'll simply throw vortices at you and stay out of range. You'll have to get close as you can, and surprise him. That might also work to our advantage," mused Stryfe. "Psychologically, he'll be stunned and angry that you're back. That might rattle him a bit, and maybe he won't think things all the way through, rashly doing whatever he can to destroy you."
"We can reveal ourselves without harm anyway," said Serena. She glanced around. "Everything will be back to normal when he's destroyed!"
The Scouts all nodded, and from another monitor Pazrek spoke. "Very well. We'll all stand ready to assist in stripping him of his powers if he enters the mist. We must all prepare," he said.
"Later, then," said Stryfe, as all the monitors went dark. He turned to look at the Scouts.
"We're as ready as we'll ever be," said Serena quietly.
Stryfe nodded.
"Then let's go," he said solemnly. He led them up the stairs, pausing only to put on his sunglasses.
* * * *
They entered the cool air. It was almost sunset, and it was getting colder in the park. A huge crowd was gathering here. An ornately carved structure was where Darkstrike was going to be standing. Stryfe glanced around. He looked at the Scouts.
"Follow me... and stay low and quiet,' he whispered. He got nods in acknowledgement.
They crept around trees and ducked past bushes, avoiding the fringes of the worriedly murmuring crowd.
"I don't know what we're supposed to do..." they heard someone murmur.
'If the Sailor Scouts couldn't stand up against this guy, how can we?" they heard another say.
"He's too strong," said another.
"Little point in resisting," sighed someone else.
"Might as well surrender now and save us the pain," grunted another.
The Scouts all looked at each other. Determination showed on all of their faces as they kept crawling. Finally, they stopped behind the structure. It was constructed of pure white marble, with blood-red streaks. Its shape reminded them all of an open clawed hand, palm upwards. It was slightly raised off of the ground, with steps on the back. Its diameter could safely encompass all of them and Darkstrike, too. They all sat behind a tree, waiting. Nervousness became evident.
"Ironic, that," murmured Stryfe. They all looked at him.
"It's Darkstrike's own abuse of his powers that's gonna destroy him. If he hadn't started melding the planes, we wouldn't have the Ethereal to use against him," he smiled.
It helped end the tension. Smiles appeared on several faces.
"Shh!" snapped Raye. "Here he comes!"
Darkstrike strode arrogantly towards the marble hand, firmly convinced of victory. He strutted up the stairs, black cape flowing, fangs showing. He came to a standstill, gazing out at the crowd. Everyone fell silent.
" I have waited and waited, and no other puny humans have decided to fight me!" he shouted, pumping his fists. "Apparently, the pitiful Sailor Scouts were your only hope.... And those pansy girls are destroyed!" he roared.
Stryfe glanced at the girls. Rage showed on all their features, Serena's most of all.
Serena's eyes closed. She gritted her teeth, and clenched her fists. She reviewed what had happened. First, tortured by some evil wizard, rescued by some friends of Derrelli's. Then a dragon. Then, trapped on a freakin' space station and various ships...and a flimsy shuttle, powerless to do anything! Then, against the WEAPONs, we were next to worthless! Next, the horrors of the Twisted Metal contest..... We were next to useless the whole time! Serena was angrier than she had ever been.
Everywhere, people had risked their lives to save us, to save the universe. I can't let him anger me, thought Serena. "It all comes down to this," she whispered. "We can't let him win, no matter what the cost. We're going to beat him. For one reason.."
"It's our responsibility," she whispered, opening her eyes, aware everyone was looking at her. "All across the multiverse, people risked everything to ensure our safe return. A member of the Order lost his life for that."
She looked up, hatred pulsing in her eyes as she glared at Darkstrike. She closed her eyes and forced herself to calm down. When she opened them again, she was calm and composed. "Because this is our home, and not his. The safety of these people is our responsibility. This is not supposed to be happening. We are the Sailor Scouts, and we won't be beaten!" she said coolly, quietly. Nods all around her; and everyone looked at Darkstrike.
"Now," commanded Serena. "Let's get him."
Chapter 3: With Power Comes Responsibility, With Responsibility, Power
They stood up, straightening their clothes, composing themselves. Serena moved first, Luna on her shoulder, followed by Darien, Reeni, and the Inner Scouts, Artemis on Mina's shoulder. The Outer Scouts brought up the rear. Stryfe watched from the tree.
"Good Luck," he whispered.
"And with no one to stop me, all of you shall bow to me! I declare myself Emperor of the Earth!" roared Darkstrike. The crowd gasped as the girls moved up on the platform behind him. Serena crossed her arms and adopted a calm air and a cocky stance. The rest of the team followed suit.
"Darkstrike," said Serena.
He turned, glaring at them. "Oh ho! A few puny humans with guts!"
"Is that all you see?" asked Serena.
Darkstrike blinked. He appeared confused.
"You know how many times we've stomped your kind? How many times they've attempted to cross over and claim our world? We won't ever let it happen, but still you people try," said Serena calmly.
"My kind?" he said blankly. His eyes searched the girls.
"Yeah, Nega-creeps," said Raye, examining her fingernails.
The Scouts noticed their families push to the front of the crowd.
"Serena! What are you doing!?" yelled her mother. All of the Scouts' families were right there. Darkstrike grinned evilly.
"He killed the Sailor Scouts! Who knows what he could do to you?" Serena's father said.
"No, he didn't," said Serena, dead calm.
The crowd fell silent.
"I didn't what?" roared Darkstrike.
"Kill the Sailor Scouts," said Mina matter-of-factly.
"Hah! They aren't here, so they're dead!" snapped Darkstrike.
"Actually, they are here," said Lita.
Serena looked at the crowd, gaze resting on her family. "Did you ever wonder why my friends and I, so different, are always together? We're bound by a higher obligation, and because of that, we have truly become friends."
"What are you talking about?" asked her mother, frightened. Even Darkstrike looked interested, standing there with arms crossed.
Serena looked at her little brother, Sammy. "Sammy, remember way back when, when Sailor Moon saved you?" she asked.
"Yeah," he said hesitantly.
"Do you remember what she told you?" asked Serena.
"She said that if I was nice to the black cat-" he began.
"It would bring you luck, right?" Serena finished.
"How did you know that?" gasped Sammy.
"Luna, are you lucky?" asked Serena.
"I suppose," said Luna.
Jaws dropped as Luna spoke. Murmurs ran through the crowd, and Darkstrike was stunned.
"How-" Darkstrike croaked.
"What is going on here?" asked Amy's mother.
"It's simple, Mom," said Amy. "We're going to end this right now."
"Amy! Be sensible. I knew your friends would get you into trouble!" she gasped.
"Trouble? The only person who is in trouble here is... him!" declared Serena, turning and pointing at Darkstrike. He glared at her.
"Get to the point, little bug," sneered Darkstrike, recovering his composure. He raised his hands.
"I've got a point, Darkstrike," said Stryfe, leaning against a tree nearby. He got his attention. Stryfe casually pointed to Serena.
"You see," began Serena conversationally. "We know all this and have with us two talking cats because..... We ARE the Sailor Scouts."
Scattered laughter and looks of disbelief greeted that comment. Serena stared right at Darkstrike and said, nonchalantly, "You really think trying to banish us to another world would get rid of us?"
"Never!" shouted all the girls, drawing out their wands. Darien drew out his rose.
Serena placed her hand on her locket. She glared at him.
"You're toast, Darkstrike! MOON COSMIC POWER!"
In unison, as Serena began to transform, the rest raised their wands and began to transform. When the light vanished, the Sailor Scouts stood in front of Darkstrike, who gaped at them. The crowd began cheering.
"No... It can't be.... I killed all of you!" he stammered.
"Yeah right," said Sailor Moon. She jumped back a step, resting on one of the fingertips. "I am Sailor Moon, defender of love and justice! Your vile plan to enslave two whole worlds of people is evil, and in the name of the moon, I shall punish you!"
"Aaargh! Eat this, Moon-brat!" roared Darkstrike, throwing a blast of purple energy at her. She jumped aside as the Scouts scattered for battle.
"MERCURY ICESTORM BLAST!"
Icy shards ripped into him. He recoiled a step.
"VENUS LOVE CHAIN ENCIRCLE!"
Darkstrike fell backwards as the marble structure shattered.
"MARS FLAME SNIPER!"
The impact of the flaming arrow set him ablaze, and he dropped and put himself out. He didn't notice the Scout's attack pattern was knocking him into a nearby patch of mist. He staggered to his feet.
"JUPITER SPARKLING WIDE PRESSURE!"
The blast knocked him into the border. Grey mist surrounded and disoriented him. He found himself surrounded. Hundreds of thousands of Order members stood in a ring around him, and as one, their heads bowed, and Darkstrike felt his powers being drained.
"No!" he gasped hoarsely, falling to the ground... or where the ground should be. Finally it stopped, and a voice echoed towards him.
"Never again, Darkstrike. All planar powers are no longer yours to command. Now why don't you go home......"
"Home...."
"home.."
The word echoed in his mind, until he stumbled forwards into one of the Nega-sections of the park. He dropped to his knees, and planted his fists into the ground.
"I may no longer be able to send them to other planes," he growled, "But I'm gonna give them all the essence of Negaverse they can handle!"
With that, he began drawing the power of the Negaverse directly from the soil, inflating his madness and power to ungodly levels...
Chapter 4: Return Of Sanity
The crowd roared as Darkstrike vanished into the mists.
"That was easy," said a surprised Luna.
"Too easy," said Artemis.
The Scouts seemed to agree. They were uneasy, turning and looking around them constantly. They noticed Stryfe was gone, presumably doing his thing.
"This isn't over," said Super Sailor Moon. She spun, looking around her. "Darkstrike! Where are you! Show yourself!" she shouted.
Suddenly, an evil chuckle was heard.
"nEvEr PlaY WiTh FiRe UnleSs YoU WaNT To gEt BurNT!" came a deep gruesome voice. Purple flames shot out of the mist and nailed Mars. Darkstrike strode out as Sailor Mars shakily regained her feet, clutching her burnt arm. The crowd gasped as a hulking, horned, drooling black shape stalked towards the Scouts.
"Oh, my," gasped Sailor Mercury.
"i mAy NoT HAVe PlAnaR PoweRS AnY MoRE, But YoU WiLl DiE JuSt The SaMe," the thing growled. It became supercharged with energy, sending bolts of purple-black lightning to hit every Scout, knocking them back. They staggered collectively.
Tuxedo Mask whipped several roses. As the thorns tore painfully into Darkstrike, Sailor Earth-Anger recovered and launched her attack.
"EARTH ANGER SWARM!"
Encouraged, several others attacked. The combined raging animal energy bolts, water blast, meteor, and time-power impacted into the Darkstrike-thing. It only seemed to enrage the beast. It jumped upwards, hitting the ground with a tremendous force. Purple energy shockwaves lashed out, knocking everyone off their feet. The Sailor Scouts, badly wounded, regrouped.
"It's hitting us with pure Nega-power," gasped Sailor Neptune.
"We can't take much more of this," croaked Sailor Venus.
"Then we just have to use pure Moon power on it," said Sailor Moon softly.
"I don't know if we can take the strain," groaned Sailor Mars.
"Uh, guys, it's turning to face us," said Sailor Jupiter.
"We can do it," said Sailor Earth-Love. "EARTH LOVE REFRESH!"
As the white mist flowed over them, healing them, Super Sailor Moon removed the green orb from the Crescent wand. She looked at Mercury.
"Will this shatter if I throw it at him?" she asked.
"Probably," murmured Mercury.
"Use your bubbles after it breaks," said Moon. "We'll need time to prepare." Mercury nodded as Moon chucked the Comet Materia.
The Darkstrike-thing saw the green orb flying towards him and swatted at it with a misshapen, grotesque claw. He swiped it with such force that it exploded, and comets began to rain down from the heavens, blasting him again and again.
"MERCURY BUBBLES BLAST!"
The bubbles were enough to confuse the Darkstrike-thing, giving Sailor Moon the time she needed.
Sailor Moon held the wand in front of her, and concentrated, accessing the Silver Imperium Crystal. The crowd was stunned as she turned into Princess Serenity. Darkstrike-thing regained its feet as Serenity pointed the crystal at him. She concentrated, and a beam of pure white energy flashed out, impacting into the Darkstrike-thing. It caused him to stagger back a few feet.
Her will alone was barely coping with his.
Slowly, the other Scouts, including Tuxedo Mask, joined in, lending their support.
"Mercury Power!" cried Mercury, the blue crystal on her tiara glowing brightly.
"Venus Power!" said Venus, hers glowing golden.
"Earth Power!" said the twin Earths, crystals glowing purple and pink.
"Mars Power!" cried Mars, crystal glowing red.
"Jupiter Power!" called Jupiter, crystal glowing green.
Tuxedo Mask held Mini-Moon, directly behind Serenity and the Inner Scouts. They concentrated with all their might, giving Serenity their will.
The four Outer Scouts held hands in intense interest, silently watching the conflux of power. They had laughed in disbelief once upon a time, when Tuxedo Mask had told them the Inner Scouts were the most powerful when they worked together, that Sailor Moon was the Moon Princess. Now, they could only watch and hope for the best. The cats could only watch as their charges glowed with their power.
The energy coalesced into Serenity, swelling, growing, like the harmony of a tremendous orchestra combining all their instruments into intense, beautiful music. The symphony of their combined power crested, then burst into a thunderous finale as it climaxed. The Darkstrike-thing was now completely encompassed in white energy.
It disintegrated, with a white flash that expanded, not slowing or stopping. The white energy flowed over the Scouts, breaking their concentration and knocking them out from the effort. It raced on, sweeping over both primes, culminating in a sudden burst of cataclysmic power..........
* * * *
The door opened. A young girl, dressed in a pink blouse and red overalls, with long blonde pigtails, walked in.
"Mom, I'm home!" she called out.
"Okay, dear," her mother said, busily cooking. "Did you pass your math test?"
"Barely, but yeah," she said. "My friends are coming over soon. Do you mind?"
"No, dear. Just keep it down, ok?" her mother replied.
"Okay," she said as she walked up the stairs to her room. She walked past an open bedroom, and peeked in. Two brunettes were lying on their bunkbeds, chatting.
"Hi, Serena," said the one on the lower bunk, with shorter hair.
"Hey, Mel, Sam. You almost ready?" she asked.
Soon, everyone was all in her bedroom. She closed her door, and sat down gazing at all her friends.
"I wonder if anyone else but us remembers what happened," Amy said thoughtfully.
"Anyone else notice the dark-haired guy that seems to be shadowing us?" asked Raye.
"He's so cute, like my ex-boyfriend!" gushed Lita, to everyone's chuckles.
* * * *
Well, everything's back to normal. Let's hope it stays that way for awhile, he thought, gazing in the bedroom window from the tree outside. He slowly moved away.
All is as it should be.
The End......or is it?