Sailor Cynic: Swerves of Fate by Beky NeRichnead Episode 1: New Beginnings (Chapter 2) Prologue: Moonlight shines on the small district of Juuban. The youma remains have been cleared from the school, and Malachite buried. Each Senshi sleeps deeply, exhausted by their lethal experience. None have talked to each other, Luna, Artemis, or the mysterious Harley, Zoitan, and Pluto. No issues have been set straight. All remains in doubt. (Personal Journal of Harley Trent, May 29 1998) Everything has changed in a day. Questions fill my mind. Zoitan is there, sleeping in my apartment. On my couch. Real. Alive. And Raye, she has died once more. Does our blood bond hold? I have glimpsed the future... one that didn't include me. It was terrible. The Senshi died over and over, dragged back to life to prevent another crisis. Setsuna-chan went on, loveless, becoming bitter and unresponsive. The Senshi lost all their memories of meeting each other. The Guardians each died, going into oblivion. I am glad I have done what I did, but I fear that it will have unfortunate consequences. It may dawn on those brave and blind fools that now I've become their leader. * [Opening Song: St. Elmo's Fire] [Chibi Usagi, Makoto, Minako, et all growing up; Naru and Usagi giggling together] Growin' up, you don't see the writing on the wall Passin' by, movin' straight ahead, you knew it all [Makoto's parents dying; Rei's father marched off in handcuffs; Ami's father leaving; Shots of them alone] But maybe sometime if you feel the pain You'll find you're all alone, everything has changed [Usagi meeting Luna; Ami and Rei's first transformations; Makoto hoisting GMJ shadow, symbol of Jupiter on her forehead; Minako arriving in the darkness] I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin' sky I'll be where the eagle's flying higher and higher Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire [Fighting poses against youma stolen from the first season and teasers from the future] Play the game, you know you can't quit until it's won Soldier on, only you can do what must be done [Senshi face Zoisite and Malachite, Beryl looking over their shoulders] You know in some ways you're a lot like me You're just a prisoner and you're tryin' to break free [Harley transforms into warrior gear; wielding the Silver Sword; standing by Zoitan; Talking to Malachite] I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin' sky I'll be where the eagle's flying higher and higher Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire [Senshi, Harley, Setsuna, Jedaite, Zoitan getting tired, then getting up and fighting again.] Burning up, don't know just how far that I can go [Hyperspace meadow with arabian palamino horses grazing] Soon be home, only just a few miles down the road [Mamoru and Zoitan fighting back to back] I can make it, I know I can You broke the boy in me, but you won't break the man [Xalen, Saeblin, and Faolin observe from the multicolored space of the time warp; Pics of them in warrior dress; Crowns around their heads] I can hear the music playin', I can see the banners fly Feel like you're back again, and hope ridin' high Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire [Big, bright, jagged Z flashes; Harley and Zoitan gallop into the distance on horses] * Luna gazed down at the sleeping form of Usagi. What had happened yesterday? Despite her curiousity, she forced herself not to wake the girl. She was sleeping as if dead. Well, more dead than usual. Ikuko came in and sat by Luna. She smiled sadly. "She's so tired. I hope she can go on." Luna didn't respond for obvious reasons. Ikuko's eyes went spacy. "Daughter. And this time, you're *mine*." She stroke Usagi's hair. "Even if you are watched over more by your cat than by me." She paused again. Luna looked up in surprise, and Ikuko smiled at her diminutive form. "I admit it, Luna. I know your secret. Thank you for protecting my daughter, in this lifetime and the last." Luna gaped further. "But..." Usagi blinked foggilly and looked around. "Good Morning?" Ikuko chuckled faintly. "Good Afternoon is more like it, daughter of mine. How do you feel? You got sick yesterday." Luna finally made the necessary connections. This was Galena, Usagi's nurse, reborn. And she didn't want Usagi to know. So be it. Luna remembered that Galena had been quite devoted to the young princess, and was responsible for nurturing her when her mother was busy with affairs of state. Which was all too often. Usagi rubbed her head. "I'm hungry!" Ikuko smiled. "I'll go get you some soup, dear." She winked at Luna and headed down the stairs. Usagi turned to Luna. Luna asked, concerned, "What happened? You slept like you were dead or something!" Usagi frowned. "I think I was. But I won't be sure till I talk to the others." Luna gasped. "What *do* you remember?" Usagi's face was sorrow filled. "Harliana sacrificed much for us. We owe her big. The Silver Crystal Sword was hardly enough." Luna panicked. "You gave her the Silver Sword!" Memory washed through Luna. ( Hartru, King of Zephyr, stood before the throne of the Moon Kingdom. His stance was that of an equal as he kissed Queen Serenity's hand. "Serenity, I have finished." He presented to her a crystal sword. She picked it up and examined it. "Its fantastic. Wondrous." She forced herself to put it down. "How well does it function?" Hartru smiled ruefully. "Well, my daughter greatly enjoyed slicing the heads of several classical art statues around the palace." Serenity chuckled. "I meant as the Silver Crystal, not as a sword." Hartru shrugged. "As I said before, First Mage Trenton assures me it works as well as an impure alloy can be expected to. It will greatly magnify power, but it isn't effective as say, the Ginshouzou, without the aid of a planetary crystal." Serenity nodded. "Thank you, Hartru." A young Harliana walked in, her green court dress pressed. "Father? You're giving away the sword?" He sighed. "I must..." Serenity stopped him and considered this little rascal who'd experimented with the sword. She leaned forward. "Harliana, that sword will always bear your uniqueness. Someday it will be yours.") Luna shook herself from the memory, only to find she had somehow broadcasted it. Usagi pounced on the opportunity. "See, I was right!" Luna sighed. "Shall we call a meeting?" Usagi nodded. "We can meet at Rei's shrine." * Rei fidgeted quietly. She'd really love to yell at Usagi, but the meatball head had been on time for once. And everyone else was equally serious. Luna broke the ice. "What exactly happened yesterday?" Ami sighed, and pain was evident on her face. "I really don't know, Luna. I really don't know." Makoto chuckled. "There was a fight, and Malachite died, but we didn't kill him, it was these youma... and we died, but we came back.... and there was this other Sailor..." Rei heard footsteps, and her stomach sank. She looked up. Indeed, there stood Harley. She sat down on the steps. "Well, this looks like an exciting gathering." Artemis seemed to bristle. Harley smiled faintly at him. "Don't worry, general. No homicidal intent." Ami responded in kind. "Glad to hear it. Tell that to Metallia." Harley shrugged. "Metallia's another story. She killed a lot of friends of mine." Usagi asked, "Where is your boyfriend?" Harley grinned. "He's at the mall, buying lunch for everyone." Luna seemed quite confused. Minako was collected for once. "Harley, we've been told by Queen Serenity to ask you about the history of the Moon Kingdom. And you're the only one who knows what happened yesterday." Harley frowned. "You're better off not knowing." Tuxedo Kamen arrived, complete with musical fanfare. "Now you sound like Queen Serenity." Harley made a face. "Yes, well, queens know what they have to do. I don't like her, but I do respect her. What do you all want to know?" Artemis sniped, "How about why you keep calling me 'general'?" Harley shrugged. "I suppose we could go around and establish old ranks. Not that they matter...." She walked up to Makoto. "Princess Lita of Jupiter. Heir Apparent. About ten years younger than us, back then." She moved on to Minako. "Princess Mina of Venus. Heir." She continued on with Tuxedo Kamen. "Prince Endymion of Earth. Became heir at age 5 due to older brother's death. Incidentally, Mamoru Chiba." Usagi gagged. "Mamoru is... Endymion?" She gazed toward him, and he detransformed. Harley interjected, "Before the two lovebirds begin making out, Usagi was Princess Serena of the Moon, Crown Princess. Betrothed to Endymion." Usagi and Mamoru sat, not looking at the other. Harley chuckled. "Whatever. Um, Luna and Artemis were Generals of the Elite Lunar Guard." Luna and Artemis seemed to have not recollection of that fact. "Then there was Princess Amy of Mercury. Heir, naturally. Betrothed to Prince Ryo of Pluto." As Ami choked over the notion of being engaged to Ryo, Rei was acutely aware of who Harley was leaving for last. Harley bowed dramatically. "And I am Queen Harliana of Zephyr, betrothed to Zoitan, current 1st Mage of Zephyr." Her eyes turned on Rei. Rei tried to meet them, but failed. Harley tipped her chin up. "And this is Princess Raye of Mars. Well, that's who she was. Now things are thrown into doubt." Rei blinked. "What???" Harley explained. "Things all depend on whether our Blood Bond was strong enough to hold. And since I'm a foundling, I don't know how to figure it out." Rei's heart went out to the girl. "You don't know who your parents were?" Harley took out of her pants a wrinkled picture. "This is my father. That's all I know." Rei went into a tizzy as she stared at the photograph. It was *her* father, younger than when she'd seen him removed in handcuffs on charges of rape and child molestation. "This is... my.... father. He..." She couldn't say anymore. She hadn't told any of them... Harley grabbed her and pulled her into a close hug. "Sister... I'd hoped..." She let go. "Rei, you and I are sisters, true kin now. And if our Blood Bond has lasted two deaths, I'd dare say that its permanent. Not to mention that makes you current Heir Princess of Zephyr." Minako whined, "Hey! How come we're princesses and you're a queen?" Harley turned toward her. "Because my father sent me the crown of Zephyr and the Zephyr Planetary Crystal, crowning me. Rei, as my sister by deepest blood, is the inheritor. Well 'till I have a child, anyway." Luna evidently took this as to much to bear. She swore faintly. "By Solaran's crown..." and then fainted. Rei was not sure how she felt. Memories returned, and suddenly she felt a deep bond, always present, to Harley. Could they truly be sisters? She smiled weakly. "And here I thought I was an only child." Rei's heart was lighter now. She was forgiven. And she had a sister. She heard Harley's voice in her head. The others stared at them, and Rei laughed. Harley's mental voice was melliflous. Luna was stirring. Everyone gathered around her. She looked up. "Perhaps you should continue your story." Harley chuckled. Out loud, she began to speak. "Well, the Silver Millenium is called Silver because.... hmm, maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. You guys don't remember *anything*?" Usagi was trying to keep herself from looking over at Mamoru. "Well, I think we remember more now, but it doesn't fit in anywhere. Like me loving this lunkhead." Harley sighed. "Okay. When I say millenium, it just represents a real long stretch of time. Anywhere from 1,000 to 25,000 years. Before the Silver Millenium, there was the Crimson Millenium. During this time, the planets of the Solar System, including the small colonies on the outer planets, became one nation. Solaran. Solaran allied itself to traveling planets. They fought tons of bloody wars to protect themselves, hence the name 'Crimson' millenium." Rei concentrated. Harley made a face at her. "Anyway, a big silver barrier formed around Solaran, cutting it off from both its enemies and traveling planet allies. The crown of Solaran went missing, so the monarchs of the planets got together and formed an oligarchal situation. They needed to have a unanimous vote to do anything." Ami frowned. "It would take forever to do anything." Harley shrugged. "That was fine, because no wars were being fought. Then, about 8,000 years later, a race called the Natira breached the shield and attacked Zephyr. They lived on mostly water world, and wanted our power filled lava to create islands with." Usagi asked, "Well, why didn't you give it to them?" Harley frowned. "We told them that we would make their own planet's lava into islands, but that it would take about twenty years. They noticed our lack of military power, and decided to just steal all of it." Rei could feel the girls sorrow through their link. "They destroyed Zephyr?" Harley nodded curtly. "Yes. Mars and Mercury sent their personal war ships, but it wasn't enough. Their were enough votes on the Council just to wait and see what happened. The planetary explosion destroyed the Natira." Makoto asked quietly. "Who voted against Zephyr?" Harley took in a deep breath. "Earth, the Moon, and Jupiter; Venus abstained." Usagi put her hand on the girl's shoulder. "Princess Serena greatly regretted the action." Harley smiled faintly. "Anyway, I looked for any other Zephyrans who survived. Zoitan was gone. Zoisite, filled with a thirst for revenge for the death of her planet, was sucked into Metallia's gang. Malachite followed her out of love..." "And Jedaite just acted like an all around fool." A new voice put in. Rei and the others looked up to see Jedaite and Sailor Pluto arrive. Harley scowled good naturedly at him. "I wouldn't put it that way. You thought your sister's life was on the line. And you did give up your power." Luna was bugging out again. "That's Jedaite..." Harley stood. "May I introduce Princess Setsuna and 1st Mage Jedaite of Pluto?" Sailor Pluto sat down and took up telling the tale. "From our point of view, Harliana disappeared entirely. Then a... force attacked the outer colonies. The populations were evacuated to earth. The attackers were strong, and we knew it would take the power of all the planetary crystals combined to beat them. But to do that, we had to evacuated all the other planets to earth, including the moon. Only a subteranean city remained there." She sighed. "The intruders were expelled, and then Metallia came. The Council chose to abandon their people on earth and hole up in the Moon, hoping to last long enough to rule again. Some objected, like the royalty of Mars and the outer planet princesses (the only survivors), but they were overruled." Jedaite smiled. "But the Dark Kingdom did not find it so easy to enslave the peoples on earth. For Harliana of Zephyr formed a shield of rock around it, preventing us from reaching it. So we settled for the Moon. Evidently the outer Senshi and the elder royalty of Mercury and Mars were supplying power to Harliana, for they died before we could breach the defenses." Ami filled in, "And then Queen Serenity sent us to earth. To keep the Dark Kingdom away." Harley nodded. "And I used power from the Zephyr Crystal to send myself in the future to when I would be needed once more." Silence reigned. Then Usagi said, "Wow. So Harley saved earth?" Harley blushed. "Well, yeah. Sort of. Any other questions?" "Should I have bought the shrimp with broccoli or the shrimp and chicken with broccoli?" There stood Zoitan. Physically nearly identical to Zoisite, he had a good natured twinkle in his eye. In his arms he bore boxes of Chinese take out. Rei smiled. "A peace gesture, I take it?" Harley nodded. "Lets just say the last time we tried this, it didn't go very well." Ami smiled. "That's an understatement." Makoto chuckled. "At least no one died." The gathering went stock silent. She turned to Harley. "What happened yesterday?" Harley sighed. "Well, while you were all being suicidal, I conviced Malachite to guard the students from these youma called the Doom and Gloom girls. Than I tried to get through the barrier as well I could, but it was strong. I saw Minako sacrifice herself for Usagi. You guys killed Beryl, and Metallia flowed from her into the Ginshouzo. She began to grow. Mamoru kept enough breathing space for Usagi as the spirit surrounded them. He died. I saw that Rei was going to do something foolishly brave and warned Ami. Ami decided to join Rei, as did Makoto. They used their transformation energy to breach the spirit/wall, killing themselves in the process. Usagi used the Silver Crystal on Metallia, but didn't have enough strength. The spirits of the others assisted her, but she died the moment I got there. Metallia and I had a chat. I released the power of every Zephyran killed in the attack that destroyed the planet. This accomplished many things, including freeing Jedaite and Zoitan from eternal sleep, sending Malachite and Zoisite into the future to be reborn, creating a little hideaway out of that hyperspace of Ami's, bringing you all back to life, and fixing up the damage at the school." Luna blinked. "You're powerful enough to do all that at once?" Sailor Pluto shook her head. "No. Harliana could only do that once. Now her power level is more on par with Usagi." Usagi smiled widely and launched herself at the food in Zoitan's arms. She began munching happily. Rei smiled, feeling stronger now. "And it just goes to prove: the way to a Moon Princess's heart is through her stomach." They began to eat, and hesitantly made small talk. * Usagi looked at the back of Mamoru's head again. Emotions warred within her. This was the idiot who called her meat ball head. And he was the prince she had loved for two lifetimes. He turned to her, and she fell into his gaze. Memories of dances, kisses, and meetings filled her. Love suffused her. "Endymion?" He smiled. "I'm not exactly used to the idea either, Usagi." Well, he'd used her name. That was a start. "Maybe it could work." He smiled. "We could test it." "Mmm." She presented her face for kiss and closed her eyes. She felt his lips meet hers. And it was wonderful. Well, till she began to suffucate. Harley smiled at them. "See, what did I say?" Rei nodded. Usagi blinked. Rei never agreed with *anyone*. "Rei, are you all right?" Rei smiled at Harley, and they seemed to read each others minds. Could they talk to each other silently? Nah. She smiled at Mamoru. "Mamo-chan, that worked well. Lets try it again." He grinned. "Can't hurt, Usako." They began to kiss again. * Ami recognized the fact that Harley was right. Ryo Urawa was betrothed to her. She remembered. But what should she do about it? "I'd dare say he'd like to remember." A quiet voice said from behind her. Ami looked at where Pluto sat. "How do you know?" Pluto smiled. "Ryo is my younger brother. He and I both have temporal powers." That would explain his precognition. "So, who's going to become the King or Queen?" Pluto's companion, Jedaite, chuckled. "Neither. Plutian royalty is divided into two generations: dimensional powers and temporal powers. Ryo and Setsuna are both of the temporal power generation. Only dimensional power generations rule, for those with time talent have grave responsibility." His use of the word grave reminded Ami of their past circumstances. She sighed. And felt a hand on her shoulder. Harley grinned at her. "Sighing already? You're supposed to be in the denial stage, Amira." Ami smiled at the joke. "Amira?" Rei approached them. "Harley has the annoying habit of calling everyone by their names in Zephyran." Ami blinked. "Zephyran? Didn't all the planets speak the same language?" Harley shook her head. "No. The Outer Planets spoke the ancestor language to Japanese. By the way, their evacuees settled this big bunch of islands. That's why you speak that language now. The Inner Planets spoke a language that was the ancestor of English. Call it Inner, or Lunaran if you like that better. Zephyr had its own distinct language and culture." Setsuna's eyes went spacey. She turned to Jedaite and he nodded. She bowed to Harley. "We must go. Time beckons." Harley smiled. "Sure, just abandon me to tell them every detail of pre-Lost Millenium history." Setsuna smiled egnimatically, and she and Jedaite were gone. Makoto stared at where the Mistress of Time had sat. "Mysterious, ain't she?" Harley shrugged. "She's always been that way. Well, as long as I can remember, anyway." Ami poked at an unfamiliar term. "Lost Millenium?" Harley smiled quirkly. "We had to name it something, didn't we?" * After answering millions of question about the past, Harley grinned predatorily. "Hey, let me see what you guys can do!" Setsuna asked from behind her, "Mind if we join you?" Harley smiled. "Not at all. Nice timeing." Makoto chuckled at the pun. She turned to Jedaite and Mamoru. "Do you fellows have your gym suits?" Mamoru blinked confusedly, but Jedaite nodded. He called out, "Time Mage Practice!" In seconds he transformed into a dark uniform that resembled the Senshi's fukus. Ami, as always, made the connection. "Our Senshi outfits are... gym uniforms?" Harley nodded. "Of course. Didn't you know that?" She said, almost conversationally, "Zephyr Princess Practice." Her outfit was that of.... well, Sailor Zephyr, but without the bows. The fuku was brown and white, with brown shoes. Mamoru shrugged. "Earth Prince Practice!" Instead of his usual tuxedo and hat combo, his form was clothed by a black and red (tight fitting) male version of a fuku. Pluto was already in a fuku. The other girls pulled out their henshin sticks. "Moon Prism Power!" "Mars Power, Make Up!" "Mercury Power, Make Up!" "Venus Power, Make Up!" "Jupiter Power, Make Up!" Zephyr winced. "Please don't tell me you think you need the sticks. Please." She turned to Luna. "What *exactly* have you been telling them, Luna?" Luna stammered, "Well, there are these holes in my memory..." Zoitan smiled quirkily. "Those are powerful focusing items, not transforming pens." Mars blushed. She covered it quickly. "Are you going to transform so we can try this?" Zoitan shrugged. "If you wish. Zephyr Mage Practice." Pluto lectured, "The fukus will respond oddly to attacks from other Senshi. They will keep you from being hurt, but will immobilize limbs that wouldn't work in combat anymore." Sailor Moon smiled. "Oh. That's what they're for. Why didn't you tell us, Harley?" Harley shrugged. "*I* was under the impression that you were just wearing them for fun. Its not my business what you feel comfortable in for combat. Speaking of which, lets begin." She looked around critically. "Rei, Usagi, and me against all." Rei's head whipped around quickly. "Hey! We don't use first names when in transformation." Harley blinked. "Oh. Why not?" The original Senshi stared at each other quizically. Usagi started off, "Well..." Minako stepped in. "If people knew who we were, they could attack our families!" Harley nodded. "Makes sense. Okay. So, let's huddle and go to it!" Mars blinked as she and Moon huddled with Zephyr. She hadn't expected her to give in so easily. "What's the plan?" Moon whined, "How come their team is so big?" Zephyr grinned. "Well, I've noticed the two of you have excellent team work. I can read Mars' body language pretty well. And you and I us are the most powerful present." Moon nodded, serious now. "Cool." Zephyr smiled. "Now, I suggest that Mars confronts Jupiter and Venus. Moon, you take Mercury and Pluto. I'll take on Earth, Pluto Mage, and Zephyr Mage." Meanwhile, on the other side of the courtyard, the other team was conspiring. Pluto and Pluto Mage stood aside by themselves, obviously planning on teaming together. Venus smiled at Jupiter. "I'll fight with you!" Jupiter nodded. "Sounds great!" Earth pulled out his cane. "I will fight alone." Mercury and Zephyr Mage shrugged at each other. "I suppose that leaves us." * The two sides faced each other. Zephyr grinned. "C'mon, lets see you guys try." Earth lept first, his cane pointed at Zephyr's head. She inwardly cheered. She pulled out her bokken and met him in the air. They began to fence. Mars turned to face Venus and Jupiter, who were back to back. She dredged up her new found memories and discovered she had powerful attacks. But she didn't want to hurt them, so she used her original attack. "Mars Fire Ignite!" Venus and Jupiter leapt apart. Zephyr turned her head in Venus's direction. She flicked a finger casually. "Zephyr Petrification." Venus fell to the ground, her body paralyzed. She glared playfully. "You'll get it for that!" Jupiter leapt in front of her injured team mate. "Jupiter Thunder Crash!" The lighting spewed at Mars, forcing her to dodge frantically. Mars' dodge brought her fully into Mercury's sights. Mercury had remembered more powerful attacks as well, it seemed. "Ice..." Mars blinked as Moon's tiara knocked Mercury in the head, knocking the Senshi of Ice unconcious. Moon realized what she'd done and nearly dropped her tiara. Mars caught sight of Zoitan readying a spell behind her. She followed Mercury's lead, using a powerful attack. "Burning Mandala!" Zoitan smiled as the attack bowled him backwards, freezing his legs. At that moment, Zephyr flipped over Earth, passing above his cane and struck Pluto Mage on the head. She continued her flip, pointing at Earth. "Zephyr Petrification!" Earth fell over, paralyzed completely, but in that moment Zephyr was struck by Pluto's blast. "Dead Scream." Pluto's eyes closed as Moon let loose on her. "Moon Cosmic Power!" Jupiter sniped at Mars. "Jupiter Thunderclaps Zap!" Mars managed to get off a "Fire Soul!" before the lightning knocked her out. Her attack got through to Jupiter, and she was knocked out as well. Moon grinned. "Does this mean we win?" "Venus Crescent Beam!" From Venus' tiara shot off a golden beam, striking Sailor Moon in the stomach. "Uff." She fell. "I guess not." Zephyr, from where she lay curled on the stones, called out weakly, "Zephyr Unfreeze!" She stood and surveyed the group. "I suppose this was a draw." "Venus Unfreeze!" Venus stood up and shook hands with her. "Good game." The others got the idea and unfroze themselves. Zephyr detransformed. Harley looked at her watch. "Oops! I have to get to the Tendo house. See you guys later!" She began to run out of the enclosure, Zoitan close on her heels. The others dispersed, happy and exausted. * Xalen grinned. "Well, it seems we have a team." * Sailor Cynic Says Harley: Hi. This is my series. Today we learned that... Usagi: Mamoru is Tuxedo Mask? Harley [rolls eyes]: No. We learned that... Ami: The Silver Millenium was actually a bunch of political baloney? [blushes] Harley: No. We learned that... Artemis [preening self]: That I'm a general? Usagi: Hey, isn't this supposed to be a Sailor Moon Says, anyway? Author: No, silly. This is Sailor Cyinic, not Sailor Moon. Go get your own show or something. Harley [sighs]: Today I learned that this SCS thing is a dumb idea.