Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Sailor Moon New Age: Adventures of the Outer Senshi ❯ Race agaisnt time! Time to go back to work. ( Chapter 2 )

Note from author:

I deeply apologize for not working on this fic over the last year. School has been keeping me very busy, however there was much free time in which I could had been working on it. But over some time I had forgotten about Sailor Moon New Age: Adventures of the Outer Senshi. Now that I've just graduated and am presently starting summer vacation I hope to work on this project endlessly and continue on posting new chapters frequently. Please forgive me; accept my sincere apologies for keeping everyone waiting and for such a long time! I hope you do keep in check with new updates on this fic and perhaps new writings by myself. I hope everyone enjoys this story very much!

Yours truly,

Narcissus

P.S. Shortly I will have my own web-site up on the net *^^*

Sailor Moon New Age: Adventures of the Outer Senshi

Chapter 2: Race against time! Time to go back to work.

"In the end there shall be darkness."

The dark figure in the dead space piled up dirt with his hands.

"May the earth avail on the account of it…" spoke that shape, hiding within shadows releasing the dirt moderately.

The winged, gargoyle like beast stood on a cliff eyeing his kingdom of darkness as if he were awaiting news of some sort. Its atmosphere was practically an unclear landscape coated with red sand blowing in form of mists. Invisible to anyone except those who were citizens of this vice place. Citizens who appeared as shadowy demons themselves were bashing, clamping objects, raging against one another. Though not as if a war were to impulse but rather it was typical nature of this society. In the center of the space was a gigantic fiery portal formed, where screaming beings flew into this portal and coming out as viscous monsters.

As for the one who eyed his kingdom, his loyal servant chief of his league and his horrific citizens had arrived. The chief wore a black leather coat with chains patterning the material. His long black slinging hair waved in the sanded wind. His skin was pale and eyes shinned from silver to gold depending on the lighting of his position.

"The age of impiety has begun…" mentioned the king.

Karasu grinned, "Indeed my lord. And the first target has been located."

The king looked at Karasu, "The priestess must be found!"

"With no exceptions…" Karasu replied.

The two gazed over the kingdom where demons continuously rampaged the area. But it seemed as if the king was proud of the chaos, which he was. Karasu enjoyed the scene just as well. However the demons have never been as active since their ruling over the first earth. Times were victorious for them then. Skies filled with black gas, the lands broken apart due to constantly devastating earthquakes and demons were free to roam wherever they pleased. But now they've been enslaved by that power. That divine light which banished all the darkness of that world into a dead space. A place where the evil could be locked up and never released.

Nothing new happened ever since the king arrived from the heavens. Without that heavenly bliss non-the less. The king could only promise the crude creatures their world back that has been covered in love, light, joy, and various of other positive forces. He promised the priestess of the will set them free of their prison. In mean time, a few demons were able to escape into the earth's realm. A few except the king and the power to unleash his realm. Those who were able to get through served the king's purpose to find the priestess. Karasu was one among the many demons who could cross over into the vortex. And now, it is he who is in charge of a more organized plan in order to succeed their mission.

"Do not waste anymore time Karasu. Go immediately and do nothing but please me!" ordered the king.

Karasu, with his silvery eyes reflecting a gold light, nodded to his master and made his first trip into the earth's realm.

The citizens laughed, snarled, moaned, and shouted for their expected upcoming victory.

---- Meanwhile ----

The time on the clock changed to six forty-five A.M. Little Hotaru had just unfinished packing from her short-lived vacation the day before. Her outfits were nicely hung up in the bedroom closet, she put her socks, underwear, night gown's, t-shirts, and other smaller clothing items in their appropriate drawers, and ordered her stuff animals and toys around her room. Hotaru has been raised properly and great virtue by both her father Professor Tomoe, and her two partners in the battle of peace Haruka and Michiru. Besides her early childhood depression and containing such enormous power, Hotaru was a good child. She wouldn't had been able to come out of her darker side or escape those inner demons if it were not for Chibiusa, whom she'd met a couple years ago. During those times things were hard on Hotaru being possessed by Mistress 9 and being the daughter of a man who was possessed by an evil being.

Fortunately Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune, along with Sailor Moon and the inner soldiers defeated this evil saving both Hotaru and her father. Also preventing the silence coming. After the case of Mistress 9 and the death busters, the outer soldiers were called on another mission to help the inner soldiers to battle Chaos. Chaos had control over the universes most powerful sailor soldier of all time, Sailor Galaxia.

Those days were now in the past and evil was far out of the way. Or so it seemed. Hotaru and the other's ease were disrupted due to Pluto's message. Now the four outers came to realization that no matter how peaceful things may be, trouble will always be out there. It was their mission to be ready for it for the sake of any hope for peace.

"Hotaru!" shouted Haruka from down stairs.

Hotaru rushed down stairs into the living room. "Yes poppa Haruka?"

Haruka stood by the edge of the couch facing the stairs. "I'm going down to the race track in an hour or so. Would you like to come along?" she asked. Hotaru's eyes widen with excitement; their face obviously showed that just the idea going out to the racetrack with Haruka thrilled her. She then hollowed, "Yes! I would love too! I'll go and get ready trying the new make-up that momma bought me!" and ran back up stairs.

Michiru then walked in watering a plant immediately as Haruka begun to raise her eyebrows. She then turned to Michiru and asked, "You're letting her wear make-up already?" Michiru just smiled as she continued her way to another plant. "The girl is just practicing remedy. You know how fast she is growing due to her power." She mentioned. Haruka smirked and walked to a window glancing outside. Her expression then switched to confusion. Michiru noticed and asked what worried her. Haruka just sighed, and glared at the lawn.

"Isn't it funny?" asked Haruka.

Michiru questioned her, "hmm?"

"It's funny how Hotaru sometimes calls us momma and poppa although her original memory has regained."

"I think that it's good that she hasn't completely grown out of her childhood…"

"No, I mean she knows that we're not really her parents."

"But in a way we have adopted her and raised her… treated her as our daughter instead of a partner."

The two stood remotely, concerned about Hotaru's abnormal growth and increasing puberty. They knew that these issues would be a problem for her and may erupt her special abilities. The continuous maturity both mentally and physically must had meant the new enemy was very powerful. No matter what their mission had in store for them, all four of the outer soldiers had to be prepared for the worst. The uncunning had yet to begun.

Haruka felt a stressful present within herself. In a spilt second a high fever along with a migraine hit her, but left as soon as it struck her. She laid her hands over her forehead and turned to Michiru. Michiru turned to her and approached up Haruka.

"Did you feel that?" asked Michiru.

Haruka nodded faintly, "Something evil has entered our atmosphere… the wind is rustling."

Michiru leaned herself into Haruka's arms, "I can sense the sea crying…"

"It has begun…" Haruka commented.

Michiru nodded and faced outside the window again, feeling Haruka's heart pump as fast as hers. Right then, Hotaru came running down the stairs dressed up in a sunflower dress and wearing a straw hat that Chibiusa gave her in the past. Her make-up was not properly put on. Though it was just to adorable to both Haruka and Michiru, easing their upbeat hearts a bit.

"You two seem upset… is there something wrong?" asked Hotaru suspiciously.

"Don't you worry little one." Haruka said not trying to make things obvious. "Everything is all right. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes!" Hotaru shouted, jumping up and down in excitement.

Michiru whispered to Haruka, "But what about this invasion that we picked up?"

Haruka smiled and replied, "It wouldn't be wise to have pumpkin suspecting any trouble right now…"

Michiru understood entirely. And explained that she would go on and check it out, and notify Haruka if anything comes on through their watch communicators. Then the two headed off their own ways, Hotaru tagging on with Haruka.

Thirteen minutes later, Haruka and Hotaru arrived at the track. The crowd was wild over the race and cheered for their favorite racecar driver's. The race went on for about another ten minutes while the two just watched and enjoyed themselves. Haruka was somewhat meditating listening to the sound of the engines and watching the drivers giving it their best. Its atmosphere was simply paradise to her, except she'd prefer to be driving rather than watching.

As the race ended, car's pulled into their garages. Haruka took Hotaru in the back of the stadium, where the racers exited their vehicles. One car pulled up that Hotaru seemingly noticed among the others. The driver stepped out of his car and took off his helmet. He was very handsome with his short spiky dark brown hair, dark blue eyes. Hotaru begun to blush and sparkles begun to lit in her eyes. As the man made his way towards Haruka and herself she got very nervous. Until another racer approached the man beginning to take off his helmet. Hotaru looked at the other racer, and as soon as he took off his helmet he turned out to be a woman. The woman rotated her head back and forth releasing her shoulder blonde length beautiful waved hair. Afterwards, the woman hugged and kissed the man. Hotaru then was struck by some heartache but soon came to realization he was too old for her anyway.

"Hotaru, that woman over there is Ms. Abigail Toinette." Haruka mentioned.

Hotaru looked up at Haruka, "Ooh?"

"She is one of Germany's finest racers. All the way over here to be with her boyfriend, who is that man that she is talking too." Haruka carried on.

"Abigail is very pretty! How I admire beautiful people with awesome talent!" explained Hotaru.

Haruka smirked and kneeled down by Hotaru whispering, "Well… I think you're just as beautiful and talented."

Hotaru pouted and lowered her head saying "But then why don't I make any friends…?"

"People usually get jealous at that age. But hey, what do you mean you don't make friends? You have Setsuna and Chibiusa. As well as Michiru and myself…" Haruka said trying cheer up Hotaru.

Hotaru lifted up her head and smiled, "You're right! A few friends are all you need. Right?"

Haruka nodded and smiled, "That's how I've always thought. I never really tried to communicate with many people in my past…"

Abigail and her boyfriend approached the two, both appearing to be friends of Haruka.

"Haruka! I wasn't aware that you had a little sister." Commented Abigail.

Haruka smiled, "No, this is… a very special person to me. Her name is Hotaru." She then looked down at Hotaru patting her back. "Hotaru, this is Abigail."

Hotaru looked up at Abigail, "Hi! How do you do?"

"I am doing wonderful. And yourself?" asked Abigail.

"Very well. It's fascinating how such a pretty woman like you can race and drive so well! Mostly being one of the best in a male sport…" Hotaru said.

"Why thank you very much… you are very kind and beautiful yourself!" the woman replied.

Hotaru rolled her eyes in disbelief.

"Excuse me Miss. Toinette." Said a man who stepped up to the group.

Abigail looked over to the mysterious looking man. He was wearing a mustard colored suite, a pair of dark shades, and had his long black slinning hair tied back. Just his appearance that filled everyone with a gloomy mood, however Haruka felt more tensed by the man's present. Something about him was not exactly normal about him. He also appeared to be very suspicious. Haruka didn't want to jump to conclusions, but her senses were on the move.

The man took out a coin and begun to flip it with his thumb into the air and catching it. He continuously carried on this habit throughout the whole time he was chatting with Abigail. Hotaru fell into a trance watching the coin flip into the air and falling back into his hand. It was as if she felt a heavy energy barrel coming from that coin, or from the man himself for that matter. However she detached herself from watching the coin and looked up to the guy then over to Abigail as she said, "Yes? May I help you?"

"Let me introduce myself, I am Gyuujirou Karurosu. Head of Nuzaki magazine." Mentioned the man.

Abigail blinked in disbelief, "Nuzaki? Never heard of it Mr. Gyuuijirou Karurosu. Why is it that you exactly want?"

"It's a new magazine dedicated to female athletes and their inspiring stories, motivation, etc. And please…" the man stopped and smirked a bit as his voice got deeper, "…call me Karasu". Haruka noticed a gold flash in his eyes. "She's not interested!" commanded Haruka.

Abigail and her boyfriend quickly turned to Haruka who looked very serious and intense. They both startled, "Haruka…" Hotaru was worried what Haruka thought or knew about this man. She also was picking up a bad vibe but decided to keep quiet. There was no telling what was about to happen, the scene was not all that smooth. Though Karasu appeared to be very calm and then smiled lowering his shades looking at Haruka.

"I assure you there is nothing I want out of this except the chance to talk with this fine race." He said, then begun to glare at Haruka. "You're also a fascinating female racer yourself aren't you? Don't worry, I may work my way to you. There is no need for jealousy."

Haruka stepped up to him almost getting in his face, "What jealousy?" she muttered.

Karasu lowered his eyes down and released a snicker, then explained "Right now mustn't be a good time." He handed Abigail a business card then begun to exit. "Please contact me if you're interested. I promise you something good will come out of it for both of us…" and left. Abigail's boyfriend eye's popped out at that last statement then rested his hands on her shoulders.

"I wouldn't trust him either Abi." He said.

Abigail turned around and smiled, "Don't worry. I don't think I do either…" she then turned to Haruka. "What do you think about him Haruka? He seemed very…" Before she could finish Haruka interrupted that "He gives off a bad vibe. My intentions never fail me. Stay away from him, okay?" she said.

Abigail promised to take her word for it. Then the four headed toward the track by the rails where they moved on and started discussing each other's lives. After a few moments Haruka and Abigail's boyfriend decided to go get a drink for themselves and bring something back for the two girls. Hotaru and Abigail leaned over the rails next to one another. Hotaru couldn't stop admiring Abigail's beauty of dedication to racing. She also was feeling depressed about herself, most likely due to her lack of self-esteem. But she figured talking to Abigail might cheer her up some and begun to compliment her on many of her features.

"You are such a darling Hotaru! I just know your going to turn out to be an even more beautiful wonderful person than you are now." Abigail said.

Hotaru frowned a bit and looked to the ground, "Me? Wonderful? Beautiful? Those words do not suit me one bit…"

"Of course they do." Abigail explained.

"Then how come I don't have any friends? How come I'm so aloof and…"

Abigail interrupted Hotaru, "Listen. In this big world, there will always be people who won't think your pretty. But there will always be people who find you very attractive. You're still young and haven't got into the real world. When that time comes I promise you, you will meet people who will think you are everything! When I was your age, I was quite the geek. No one would talk to or sit with me. My childhood years were not that pleasant, until when in high school I found my love for racing. Then it came clear to me that it isn't necessarily important how what other people think about you. And then racing became my anti-drug sort of speak."

Hotaru smiled, "Wow! I can't believe that you were not always pretty and popular!"

Abigail looked up into the sky, followed by Hotaru.

"Well… it took some polishing for me to get like this." Abigail said.

"Polishing?" asked Hotaru.

Abigail smiled and laid her hand on Hotaru's head then explained, "Don't worry about it Hun. You're probably too young to understand."

"You got plastic surgery?" asked Hotaru.

Abigail gasped in shock and sweat drop, hesitating to say anything. But then she confessed, "Yes… only a little bit though. Thankfully my boyfriend, Dan accepts it. The procedure was after meeting Dan… so at least I know he accepts me for who I am. Besides it's the inside that counts anyway, right? How should people with plastic surgery be treated any differently."

Hotaru smiled and replied, "Don't feel bad about it! If it puts you in better harmony with yourself then that's great! At least that's what momma Michiru told me. Though I don't believe she's ever had or plans on getting plastic surgery. Some people are blessed with looks…"

Abigail chuckled in amusement, "But don't you worry about it Hotaru. You don't need it. Besides you still have much time for your features to expand."

Hotaru stopped realizing her growth issue. But decided to not think about it and looked up to Abigail smiling, ending the conversation with that. Abigail stepped back and told Hotaru she wanted to get something and would be right back. Hotaru nodded waiting for Haruka and Dan. She then looked up to the sky watching a plane fly over.

Abigail stepped into a garage and walked over to a locker. There she unlocked it and begun pulling out a jacket. Meanwhile, Karasu stepped in and knocked on the side of the opening.

"Knock, Knock" Karasu impersonated.

Abigail was startled by the unexpected appearance, "Karasu! Hi… I wasn't expecting anyone."

"We need to talk." Demanded Karasu.

"Someone is waiting for me outside, I must be going." Abigail said and begun headed her way out until Karasu blocked her exit.

Abigail jumped back and looked up at the man, "Look! I don't know what you want but whatever it is I don't want anything to do with you! Especially by this strange behavior!" she yelled.

Karasu smirked and said, "But I need something from you… right now."

Abigail took steps back becoming even more frightened of Karasu. She held her arms around her chest fearing that he was thinking perverted thoughts about her. Karasu had a black cloudy outline forming around him as his clothes and body begun to change into his original form. The identity from that realm was revealed on Karasu. His hair was released, his skin turned pale, and his silver-chained black leather uniform appeared on him. Everything was happening so fast, and Abigail didn't know what to do so she screamed. Hotaru heard this scream and ran towards the screaming. She then found the garage that she was in and saw Karasu closing in on Abigail. Hotaru then ran as fast as she could to find the concession line where Haruka would be. After Hotaru left, Karasu lifted his right hand casting a spell involving a cloud to wrap around Abigail which levitated her and causing to weakened her. But finally, Hotaru got to the concession stand where she met up with Haruka and Dan who were standing in line.

"Haruka! Abigail's in trouble! I think that man who we met earlier is attacking her! She's in about seven garage's down on the left!" panicked Hotaru.

Dan looked towards the garage aisle and begun running towards them looking for his beloved girlfriend. Haruka followed Dan, causing Hotaru's hair to be blown into the air and due to her incredible speed she passed him in moments. She then found the garage that Abigail was in a few seconds afterwards and Dan eventually caught up with her. They were both shocked seeing Abigail's position and Karasu's evil contraction. Dan suddenly without any second thoughts charged directly at Dan before Haruka could stop him. Karasu turned around and with one hand he released an energy force that blasted Dan out of the garage into the rail near the track outside. Haruka looked at Dan then back at Karasu knowing whom she had to help first, so she stepped into a neighboring garage for a moment to prepare while Karasu deeply concentrated on Abigail trying to absorb something out of her.

"Stop this now!" demanded a figure standing in the garage's entrance.

Karasu turned his head to look at the interference, "Who the hell are you?" he asked.

The figure became clearer, it was Sailor Uranus who replied "From the crying sky guided by the winds of justice, I am Sailor Uranus!"

Karasu nodded, "Ah… that's nice." And went back to concentrating on Abigail.

"World Shaking!" hollered Sailor Uranus who released an energy ball into the ground that she charged up. The attack traveled through the ground and came out flying up towards Karasu.

The attack hit Karasu in the back loosing his control over Abigail, then flew into a stack pile of gasoline cans. Abigail was released of the paradox and fell down to the ground. Uranus walked over to the pile of gasoline tanks and pulled Karasu by the neck collar and demanded, "Who are you? What is it that you want from Abigail?"

"I come from hell!" replied Karasu.

Uranus eye's widened in shock, "what?"

Karasu then pulled out a sword and slashed it at Uranus, who avoided the attack by back flipping before he could attack her. As soon as she landed on the ground Karasu jumped into the air and raised his sword heading towards her. But she quickly pulled out her saber and shielded herself from it. The two weapons clinked against one another and Uranus used her leg to push off Karasu. They continued to battle each other around the garage.

"She wasn't the one anyway!" growled Karasu.

"One for what?" demanded Uranus.

Hotaru came around the corner of the garage and witnessed the fight. She also noticed Dan and Abigail passed out on the ground. But while watching the two battle each other, her eyes blurred and horrible thoughts came to her mind. Past memories of the war with the Death Busters came to her mind, then the horrible memories of the battle with Queen Nephrenia and Sailor Galaxia and her animates. Blood and pain crossed her mind as well; frightened by the thoughts she dropped to her knees all shaken up. It had been the scene of fighting that disturbed Hotaru. She thought it was long gone and out of the way. How could this be? Everyone was supposed to be living in a peaceful world now.

"No… no more…" mumbled Hotaru. "No more fighting… please! No more… no more!" she then cried.

Uranus forced Karasu outside of the garage where they would have more room to attack. But somebody else in a sailor soldier uniform approached them. They both stopped and looked at the other soldier whose eyes were blurred and was covered by a purple aura. On her forehead the sign of Saturn broke through. Her present caught the eyes of both the components, and had them both startled by the ghostly aura. Uranus ran closer to the soldier and said, "Sailor… Saturn… you don't need to be here! I have everything under control!"

But Sailor Saturn didn't reply, except for chanting words like "No more fighting…" and "Stop this now!"

Karasu stared at the symbol on Saturn's forehead. He was startled and pulled himself in together as if he was afraid of her. Uranus looked back at Karasu noticing his fear then went back to focusing on Saturn. She stepped closer to her and softly asked, "Hotaru… is that you? Hotaru!"

Saturn gently moved Uranus out of her way with one hand and lifted the other up pointing at Karasu, and begun to charge energy with that finger. But Karasu was not planning on staying to find out what she was doing, so he mentioned that his job here was done and teleported out. Saturn stopped charging energy and collapsed to her knees. Uranus kneeled down next to Saturn and Saturn begun to cry and threw herself into Uranus's arms. Uranus held her as she whined about how she didn't want to fight anymore. Right then, Sailor Neptune appeared. Uranus explained to her that she really had no idea what just happened besides a new enemy had revealed itself, and Hotaru's upset. Neptune watched Saturn moaning in Uranus's arms.

Karasu had returned back to his realm where he pleaded forgiveness to his king. The king did accept due to the powerful interference. After explaining about the Sailor Soldiers, Karasu mentioned the symbol of Saturn but referred it to as the sign of Coronas. They both discussed how this soldier could be a problem with their mission. But the king remarked that this solider, Sailor Saturn could be an advantage for them and laughed. Karasu had no idea what he meant, but went along and laughed with him.

Later on Abigail and Dan were revived, and both could hardly remembered what had happened. Michiru had now joined them as another race was about to begun. Neither Haruka, Abigail, nor Dan were in it. But everyone enjoyed watching the race together. Hotaru watched as Dan and Abigail held one another, it was very touching to her. She then looked up to Haruka and Michiru explaining that she did understand that it was her as well as all the sailor soldier's mission to stop evil from taking over the earth. Although she didn't want to fight anymore, she knew she had no choice. Hotaru also mentioned that she would be there for them, as they would be there for her. And she then latched on to both Haruka and Michiru asking them, "Who wants to go and get some ice cream?"