Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ The Fragility of Time ❯ "The Face of the Enemy" ( Chapter 6 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

The Fragility of Time
Chapter 6: "The Face of the Enemy"
Author: etj4Eagle
Email: etj4Eagle@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/etj4eagle
Lasted Edited: 9/9/00

Disclaimer: A reminder I own none of the characters of this story,
all rights are owned by others.
If you distribute the story, do only
so freely and inform me of where you post it.

_______________________________________

Ikuko was slightly surprised when she heard the front door open with
still an hour left before Usagi's school let out (not that she
expected her back to that evening). Her mothering instincts kicked in
as soon as she saw the haggard looking Usagi enter the house.

Pluto knew the question that was forming in Ikuko's mind. "Tsukino-
san don't worry, your daughter is fine. The princess just needs some
rest and time to herself to get over the emotional drain from earlier
today." Ikuko gave Pluto a look requesting more information. "I will
explain shortly, now the princess should lay down." And with that,
she led the two Usagis out of the room and up the stairs.

concluded Ikuko. While she
wanted to run up and mother her daughter while she found out what
happened, she decided to wait. She did not need to wait long, as
shortly there after, this new women returned downstairs, minus the
two she had escorted upstairs.

"I am the Guardian of Spacetime, Sailor Pluto. You can call me
Setsuna." Pluto wasted no time in answering Ikuko's questions. "There
was a droid attack at Juuban Elementary School. This monster is one
that they should not have had to fight until later, when they are
stronger. As a result, it took them near an hour to defeat it.
However, that is not the reason why your daughter is distraught.
Small Lady was drained prior to their arrival, and the inability of
being able to stop the creature that had hurt her daughter
emotionally destroyed your daughter. I believe I have rebuilt her
confidence, and her cheerful nature will help her bounce back."

Ikuko sat adsorbing all that had just been said. She was slightly in
shock from learning that the Senshi had trouble destroying the
creature. In thinking about her daughter's distraught state, she
thought about what shape she would be in if she saw Usagi hurt and
was unable to do anything about it.

Seeing the light of comprehension cross Ikuko's eyes, Setsuna decide
to take her leave. "Tsukino-san why don't you go see your daughter. I
need to go feel the pull of time from various points in this city,
but I will be back later." With that, Setsuna stood, open a time
portal and stepped through.

Ikuko proceeded to move to Usagi's room. In it, she found Usagi
curled up around ChibiUsa and a worried looking Luna. Moving to sit
down on the bed next to Usagi, Ikuko began the process of reassuring
her daughter.

* * * * * * * * *

After leaving the Tsukino household, Setsuna reappeared on top of
various buildings around the city. With each stop, she opened her
body to feel the flow of time. Normally she would just feel the flow
of time from one place, but with the future so uncertain, she wanted
to make sure that she did the right thing.

With each stop, her feel for the flow got clearer. While she did not
know, nor would so ever while she remained in linear time, what was
to come, she now had a good idea of what the consequences of various
actions would be. For her now the one that was of utmost importance
was her presence in linear time.

Pluto was relieved when she determined that the flow of time would be
best helped by her presence. One additional item caught her attention
while she examined the flow of time: the awakening of the other
Senshi of the Ends of the Solar System. Time was too muddled for her
to get a good grasp of their effect. She would need to be in close
proximity to them before she could determine their effects on the
flow of time.

With her task and questions answered for the time she opened a portal
to a park. Upon arriving, she put away her time staff. Noticing the
nice day for the first time, she decided to enjoy the weather for a
bit, while she waited for the Senshi meeting.

* * * * * * * * *
The Hikawa Shrine

"Where is the Odango-Atama!" questioned a very irate Rei. She was not
in a happy mood after the punishment she got for sneaking off campus
to fight that demon. Additionally she was still nursing bruises from
the beating they had taken, consequently her normally very volatile
temper was flaring up as never before.

"The princess will not be coming today." Announced a figure entering
the room, with Luna in tow behind her.

"Who are you?" Snapped Rei.

With a wave of her hand, she summoned the time staff and let her
transformation overtake her body. "I am Sailor Pluto, the Guardian of
Time." And then with another flicker she reapplied her civilian
glamour, but left her time staff out.

The only other time the Senshi had seen the elusive Guardian of Time
with their current memories, was shortly after ChibiUsa arrived.
Though that time it was strictly as a projection of her Senshi form,
so it was no real surprise that they not recognize her when she
appeared in front of them with a civilian glamour over her body.

"Is Usagi okay?" questioned a concerned Makoto.

"Makoto-chan, don't worry. Usagi will be fine, she just needs time to
recover from the emotional shock of today's battle." Looking over the
assembled group, her gaze fell on Ami who appeared to be about ready
to ask a question. "Yes Ami-chan, I know why the creature you fought
was so much stronger than the others. It is not a youma, but a droid.
This particular type of demon is from the future, and is one that you
were not supposed to fight until later, when Small Lady came back for
the first time. If they are here then that means that Rubeus is here
as well, he is a general of the Black Moon."

The assembled Senshi and cats were shocked in learning that they now
faced a threat from the future as well. was the thought that was
crossing the various Senshi's minds.

"I have decided that it would be best for me to remain here in the
past for the time. I will help you with defeating the droids.
However, for now you will need to face the Dark Kingdom on your own.
There are some other things that I need to attend to, so if you do
not object Commander I would like to take my leave."

After seeing the blank looks coming from the Senshi, she decided to
explain her last statement. "Minako-chan you are the commander of the
Senshi. This is why as Sailor-V and even now your uniform has
elements of the Princess's uniform. This is to protect her identity."

Minako, now slowly beginning to comprehend what was going on,
assented to Setsuna's request to leave.

Setsuna had not taken more than a few steps away from the shrine when
she heard Rei's explosive temper. While she could not make out the
exact words, it had something to do with another ditzy blond being in
charge. She chuckled to herself a little as she continued to stroll
away. But
then she remembered the fate worse than death that would befall the
Senshi the next time they got sick, with Minako here now to nurse
them back to health, and decided that all was fair.

* * * * * * * * *
The Dark Kingdom

"My liege" began Kunzite as he and Zoisite gave low bows. "We have
reason to believe that there is another potentially more powerful
force draining energy from this city as well."

"WHAT?!?" barreled Beryl

"We believe that the Senshi faced a demon today, that was not one of
our own. In addition this battle apparently lasted close to an hour
of their time." Seeing a very irate Beryl glare at him, Zoisite tried
to save himself from the certain doom that was about to become him.
"However, Beryl if we are able to harness this new player as an ally,
we will be unstoppable."

This last statement softened slightly the pure fury that raged in
Beryl's eyes. "Fine try to secure the cooperation of this new player,
but I want the Ginzuishou now!"

"Beryl, we have come up with a plan for getting the remaining
Nijizuishou Crystals. However, it will require the sacrifice of one
to the Senshi." Noticing Beryl's temper begin to rise again, Kunzite
hurried on with his explanation. "We need to know what the
relationship between that child and the crystal is."

"Fine, but my patience with you two is wearing thin. Do not fail me."

With great relief, the two generals left Beryl's throne room, glad to
still be alive. "Do you remember the plan?" questioned Kunzite.

"Yes, I try to grab another one of those crystals as normal, but you
will be observing and monitoring the energy readings of that child
and the crystal as it is extracted." Replied Zoisite.

* * * * * * * * *
Tokyo

During the little more than a week that Rubeus had been employed with
his new organization, he had already made himself invaluable. No one
quite understood how a mission that should have ended in disaster for
their side would become a complete victory for them if Rubeus was
present. While he showed great fighting skills, they were only useful
at close range, as he did not carry a gun. But his presence seemed to
allow those one in a million shots to occur. What they did not
realize was that those one in a million shots were really Rubeus
using some of his magic. However, they did not care, he was a good
luck charm and a great planner and leader. He had already become well
received well up the organization's chain of command.

The rewards he took for his service amounted to very little, and were
in themselves peculiar, but he was an unusual man. One of his few
requests he had put out was to always work with the same men, saying
that he wanted to train them. The other was the request to be kept
current, at real-time level, of any unusual happenings in the city,
in particular those Sailor Senshi. If he was anyone else, his
fascination with the Senshi would have earned him ridicule, but no
body dared to cross this master.

As it was, he had learned about the damage one of his rogue druids
had caused. Rubeus's
ponderings were interrupted by a knock at his door. Getting up he
opened the door and led his students in. Today's lesson was going to
be unarmed combat, against a superior foe: himself.

* * * * * * * * *
Crown Video Arcade

The two Usagis were enjoying an afternoon of sipping milkshakes at
the Video Arcade. Currently the Senshi, who figured that Usagi
probably still needed some time to herself after what had happened
two days earlier, left them mostly alone. Yesterday had been a key
day for getting Usagi back to her normal self. She was mostly healed
when she woke up, however, she was not yet ready to give up her
assurance that ChibiUsa was okay. Consequently, ChibiUsa attended a
different school for that day.

Haruna was not at all surprised when she saw Usagi walk in with her
cousin next to her. She was more surprised that Usagi was even in
school that day, but she figured that taking her cousin with her was
sufficient for Usagi to face the day. Thankfully, one of the students
was sick, so with a little shuffle of seating, she had the two
sitting next to each other. About two hours into the day, that
strange woman appeared with some work from ChibiUsa's school for her
to do. As school let out that day, she reflected that Usagi was
probably the most productive that she had ever been that day.

Today Usagi was able to let ChibiUsa go to her own school. Of course
that was only with the promise from both Luna and Artemis that they
would look over her daughter during the day. And as soon as school
got out, she flew down the streets toward the elementary school. From
there, she collected her daughter and the two had headed over to the
Crown to get some milkshakes.

Currently Minako was watching her princess from across the arcade. To
most, she was playing one of the video games. But her work as Sailor-
V taught her how to keep her eyes focused on two things at the same
time. Noticing Naru enter the arcade and move to Usagi, she decided
that those two would talk for a while and decided to devote a little
more of her concentration to the game she was playing.

"Hey Usagi-chan, how are things going?" Asked Naru as she came in.
She wanted to talk to Usagi about what had been bothering the blond
yesterday. It was unusual for the blond to keep things from her, as
they were best friends. And Usagi had helped her get over the death
of Nephrite. Though she still wondered how Usagi knew that he was not
human.

Usagi looked up at the newcomer and a large smile quickly moved
across her face. "Hi Naru-chan." Then realizing that while ChibiUsa
had been here for about a week, she had not yet introduced her
"cousin" yet to her best friend. She also recognized the 'you will
spill the beans' look that was currently on Naru's face, and realized
that her best friend might want an explanation for her behavior the
other day. "Naru-chan this is my cousin ChibiUsa-chan, actually her
name is Tsukino Usagi as well."

Hearing this Naru gave a little laugh "Nice to meet you ChibiUsa-chan.>
she addressed the child as she put out her hand for a shake.

Within a few minutes, the two girls were catching up on old news.
ChibiUsa got another look over when Naru heard that she had been a
victim in the latest demon attack. As the two talked, a large smile
grew on ChibiUsa's face. Motoki noticed the change in ChibiUsa's
attitude and was able to quickly pin the change to the now fully
rebounded Usagi.

Feeling happy that Usagi was back to her normal self, Motoki made his
rounds around the arcade. This included passing by one blond who
seemed to be unusually upset at the Sailor-V game. As Motoki
was finishing up his rounds a man wearing a dark green jacket entered
the arcade.

"Ah the two Odango-Atamas what a surprise. Hey Odango-Atama!" the
last bit being directed towards Usagi. "Have you actually managed to
get yourself up in time in the morning, so that you don't collide
with me on your way to school?" he teased Usagi.

He was not quite surprised for the response he got. He was expecting
a rebuttal from Usagi, but instead he got a quick kick in the shins
by the pint-sized version of his target. "Baka Mamo-chan. Don't you
dare talk to Usagi-chan like that after what she did." And with that,
the pink haired child stormed towards the video games where she had
noticed Minako.

Everyone in the local vicinity of the current incident was left
speechless. Usagi herself had been about ready to give a sharp
retort, but now did not know quite what to do. Mamoru himself was
beginning to turn as red as a beet and he of course had no idea what
the child was implying. Motoki decided to go to the aid of his
friend before he managed to shove his whole leg down his mouth or
drop dead because all his blood was now pooled in his face. "Hey
Mamoru why don't you take a seat over here and I will get you
something to drink."

Mamoru dutifully followed Motoki's command and sat down at the
proffered booth. "Motoki?" He attempted to formulate a further
question beyond that, but his brain was still not yet thinking
straight.

"That child was involved in the demon attack the other day and was
injured. Usagi apparently arrived during the attack and has been
emotionally distraught for the past few days over her inability to
save her cousin from being injured. I have also heard that apparently
she and Mizuno Ami, one of her friends, got beat up pretty badly
during the battle." Motoki explained, answering Mamoru's confusion.

By the UFO catcher, one of the normal patrons got up to leave, having
filled his bag with goodies for the orphanage children. As he stepped
outside the building, he was met by a man dressed in a gray uniform.

"It is time for you to come home, Shadow Warrior." The man stated
while producing a slowly rotating black crystal. With a scream, the
crystal began to work its way out of the victim's chest.

Inside the three Senshi heard the screams and made their way towards
the door. Naru herself was puzzled by the sudden departure of Usagi,
but she knew that Usagi tended to forget places that she needed to
be. Mamoru himself suddenly felt the need to move out of the sight of
everyone else.

The gentle breeze and screams of a soul losing its dominance to a
shadow warrior's dormant soul was broken by the arrival of the three
Senshi. "How dare you attack that innocent man! In the name of the
Moon, I am Sailor Moon and I will punish you." Stated Sailor Moon as
ChibiMoon and Venus flanked her.

Off in the shadows, Kunzite aimed his scanning equipment at
ChibiMoon. Unknown to him two figures were watching him: one a man
who was now suddenly wearing a white cloak with a couple golden moons
on it, and the other a timeless woman in a Senshi Fuku. And shortly
thereafter, a caped crusader was watching the main battle.

"You won't get this crystal you Sailor Brats." Taunted Zoisite. And
with his words, the crystal emerged from its victim's chest. As with
the time before, the broach on ChibiUsa's body began to resonate with
the Nijizuishou Crystal. Along with the broach's resonance, ChibiUsa
herself resonated in tune with her broach. All those of the Moon's
royal blood are linked with the crystal from the first time they use
it. Princess Serenity herself was destined to become more interlinked
than any previous ruler of the Silver Millennium. Hence, anything
that affects the crystal affects their body as well, and vice-versa.
However, the high level magic that was currently protecting princess
Serenity prevented her body from resonating with the Nijizuishou
crystal's energy. Though, there was no similar magic preventing
Princess Usagi from resonating with the energy of the projected
crystal that she carried, and her resonating far outshone that of the
projected crystal itself.

The result was that to Kunzite he saw one of the Sailor Senshi react
to the presence of the Nijizuishou crystal. Unlike Luna and Artemis,
he retained a fairly good set of memories of the structure and basics
of the Silver Millennium, just nothing of his personal life before he
began his service to the Dark Kingdom. "That child it is Princess
Serenity, only one of the royal blood of the Moon would react so to a
Nijizuishou crystal!" exclaimed Kunzite. And, remembering one of the
basic commands given by Beryl, he prepared to eliminate this threat.

Both observers had heard his exclamation and realized what he was
about to do. The man in the white cloak moved out of the shadows and
let a large volume of dark energy fly at Kunzite. Kunzite, caught off
guard, was catapulted straight into the battle that was occurring
between the Sailor Senshi and the Shadow Warrior.

"Pathetic, even Sailor Moon fared better against that attack. Also no
thought of a possible attack on himself, that is carelessness,
wouldn't you say so my friend?" The last part of his statement being
directed towards Pluto, who had been preparing to release a Dead
Scream at him.

Normally Pluto would not have known the identity of this man in front
of her. But, the temporal energy that surrounded him clearly pointed
towards him being Rubeus. "You die here Rubeus." She simply stated.

"Ah yes the infamous guardian of time. I should be so honored that
you personally came to see to my demise. However, would it surprise
you that I am currently aiding the Senshi. I know as well as you the
fate that awaits this world if Metalia is released. I will not lie to
you, once that threat is eliminated I will kill your queen and the
rabbit."

As Pluto paused long enough to listen to Rubeus, she noticed
something unusual: how time was flowing around him. Looking more
closely at the weave of time she realized that she should let him
live for now. Perplexed at this turn of events she turned and left
Rubeus there in the street.

Rubeus for his part while relieved was completely puzzled as to why
he had just been spared. Deciding to put that mystery behind himself
for the moment, he turned his attention to the battle. The commotion
of Kunzite's flying entry into the battle had given Sailor Moon the
opportunity she needed to heal the Shadow Warrior. Kunzite was
currently explaining his discovery to Zoisite.
Suddenly seeing through the smaller moon's glamour Rubeus had to
chuckle.

Zoisite himself was not very happy with the entrance that Kunzite
made, allowing the current Shadow Warrior to be destroyed without
much of a fight at all. "Wait did you just say that the pink haired
one is the Moon Princess?"

"Yes, and some one blasted me from behind as I was about to take her
out." Replied Kunzite.

"Well she dies now." Stated Zoisite as she let forth a barrage of
energy.

A barrage of roses stopped the attack. Two surprised generals looked
up to see Tuxedo-kamen standing a top of a nearby lamp. He himself had
missed the recent exchange about the identity of the pink haired
child. Before the two generals could launch another attack, the
remaining Senshi appeared on the scene. Deciding that they were now
outmatched they open a portal and returned to the Dark Kingdom base.

* * * * * * * * *
The Dark Kingdom: Beryl's throne room

"My queen we have discovered why that child has control over the
Nijizuishou crystals. She is Princess Serenity." Announced Zoisite

"That child is the Moon Princess?!" exclaimed Beryl. "I want her
destroyed immediately."

"Of course your majesty. We were already developing a plan while we
were carrying out this scouting mission. The next attempt to gather a
Nijizuishou crystal will be a trap for the little princess. We shall
use additional youma to keep the other Senshi busy as well." Replied
Kunzite.

And with that, the two left the throne room, for once actually being
in slightly better standing with Beryl. Of course they conveniently
avoided mentioning the fact that somebody interfered with Kunzites
earlier attempt to eliminate the princess earlier that day.

End Chapter 6

End Notes

On the title, the enemy here refers to Beryl's enemy: Princess
Serenity. Of course, the face that Beryl thinks belongs to her
enemy is the wrong face.

Rubeus and some other players will start to become integral to
the story in the following chapters. Though not too much till
after the reintegration of the Ginzuishou.