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Chapter Six

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TOKYO, JAPAN (AP) - As the sun rises over the Far East this morning, Japan and the rest of the world continue to wonder at the mystery of yesterday's unexplainable phenomenon.
Yesterday, shortly after noon local time, a tower that appears to be made of pure crystal appeared on the grounds of a Shinto temple in the center of the Minato ward of Tokyo. The crystal tower, which the Japanese government is calling the 'Nazo no Daizuishou' (Mysterious giant crystal), stands silent over the city as morning begins in Tokyo. So far, there has been no activity from the structure aside from "an unusual light" originating from the rear of the structure at sunset yesterday. All attempts by Tokyo police and the JSDF to gain entrance to the structure have met with failure.
Today, the world waits anxiously for some sign from the wonderous crystal structure, some clue as to what it is, where it came from, and most of all, whether or not it's friendly.

Shingo awoke unceremoniously to an intense tickling which caused him to roll off the bed and crash into the floor. "Iteeeee...."

A soft giggle drifted down from above. "Good morning, Shingo-kun."

Shingo looked up to see a cute face peering at him over the edge of the bed, framed by mussed dark hair. Shoulders draped in the straps of a silken nightgown accompanied the face, as well as some rather alluring, if modest, cleavage. He blushed. "Ohayou, Hotaru-chan," he said, sitting up.

"Sleep well?" Hotaru asked, still giggling.

"Yeah," he said. He picked at his undershirt and boxers, blushing slightly. "Ummm...?"

"You were pretty tired," Hotaru said. "You passed out on the couch...I brought you in here and, um," she blushed, "got that tux off of you."

Shingo turned bright red. "I see," he said.

"Don't worry, I didn't do anything ecchi," Saturn said, winking. "Turn around," she instructed. Shingo blinked sleepily, frowning, but did so. As soon as his back was turned, he heard from behind him, "Saturn Silver Power, Make-Up!" A few seconds later, she said, "Okay, you can look now."

Shingo turned to see Sailor Saturn, in her new silver fuku, standing at the foot of the bed. "Gotta get an early start," she said. "There's going to be a lot to do today."

Shingo stood, shaking his head to clear the cobwebs. "Ugh...hungry," he muttered.

"They found all the stuff from the temple outside," Saturn said. "We'll probably have breakfast once everyone is awake." She walked out into the main room, and Shingo followed her.

Looking around, Shingo realized something, and groaned. "Great," he said, "I just realized the only thing I have to wear is that blasted tux."

Saturn smiled. "That's easily fixed," she said. Looking up at the ceiling, she called out, "Mimas!"

Shingo stared as a floating, glowing purple crystal dropped out of the ceiling. "Good morning, Lady Saturn," it said. It whirled for a moment, then added, "I'm sorry, I don't recognize your guest."

"This is Tsukino Shingo," Saturn said. "He's the queen's brother."

Mimas whirled again, then dipped in the air. "Good morning, Lord Shingo," it said.

"Uhhh, good morning," Shingo said.

"Mimas, Shingo-kun needs something to wear today," Saturn said.

"Please tell me what you wish to wear," Mimas said.

"Umm..." Shingo paused uncertainly.

"Whatever's suitable for around the palace," Saturn interjected.

There was a pause. "Lord Shingo is a member of the royal family. Standards dictate he should wear the uniform of nobility."

Shingo blinked, as did Saturn. "Umm...okay then, that'll do."

"Compliance," Mimas said. It began hovering around Shingo, examining him from multiple directions. Just as Shingo was beginning to get annoyed, it returned to the center of the room, and glowed more brightly. A pile of clothing dropped at Shingo's feet.

"Go ahead and change in the bedroom," Saturn said, smiling. Shingo nodded, picking up the bundle, and walked out.

"Should Lord Shingo be listed as a suite occupant?" Mimas asked.

"Hmm? Oh...no, not yet," Saturn said.

"Should Lord Shingo be listed as a visitor with unrestricted access to the suite?"

Saturn thought about that for a minute. "Yes," she decided.

"Compliance."

After a moment, the bedroom door slid open. "Well, this is better than the tux," Shingo said. He now wore crisply pressed white uniform trousers, highly polished knee-length white boots, and a high-collared white jacket. The uniform was trimmed with silver piping, and silver buttons ran down the center. A crystalline insignia was attached to the jacket at the left breast; it resembled the spire of the palace, backed by a silver crescent moon. The stiff collar was fastened with a crescent moon clasp; framing it were broad silver shoulderpads, glittering with metallic thread. White dress gloves covered his hands. A folded garment was draped over his arm, and he was eyeing it uncomfortably.

Saturn gave a whistle. "Looks good," she commented.

Shingo blushed. "Thanks," he said. He held up the extra accessory, unfurling it. "I'm so not comfortable with this thing, though."

Saturn giggled. "Yeah, a cape just isn't your style." As Shingo carefully refolded the embellished garment, Saturn glanced toward the door. "Well, I guess we should see if anybody else is awake."

Mimas began whirling more rapidly, then said, "The assistant network reports that three other Sailor Senshi are awake and have left their suites," it said.

"Thank you, Mimas," Saturn said. "Come on, Shingo-kun, let's go."

"Hai," Shingo said, following the youngest Senshi out of the suite.

Serenity yawned as she walked around the spacious living room of the royal suite. There were three sofas in the room as well as a regal-looking love seat, sort of an informal throne for two, tucked cozily away in the corner.

Silently giving thanks to Mercury for finding out how things worked here, Serenity touched a wall of the room. It glowed briefly, and became transparent, letting the early morning sunshine into the room.

She glanced at the strange sculpture that had been placed against the interior wall of the suite. They had puzzled over the statue when they first came up; it was a crystalline replica of Sailor Moon in her original form, from back in the days when she was fighting the Dark Kingdom. Although the statue was colorless and lacked some of the finer details, it was otherwise a remarkable likeness.

Endymion muttered a greeting as he emerged from the bedroom, apparently less than half-awake. Serenity stepped over to him and kissed him. "Good morning, husband," she said.

"Mmm...I could get used to that kind of greeting," Endymion said. Serenity giggled.

"You know, I wonder...the others mentioned something about some kind of assistant thingy..."

The royal couple both started as the statue of Sailor Moon jerked to life, and stepped off her pedestal, genuflecting before them. "Your Majesties," she said in a synthesized, crystalline version of Serenity's own voice.

"Wha—what—what are you?" Serenity asked.

"I am your personal assistant module and guardian," the statue said. "Please forgive me for startling you."

Serenity blinked, recovering. "It's okay...you're...?"

"Your Majesties, I was instructed to display a message for you upon my activation," the statue said.

"Uhhh...okay," Serenity said.

The air between them shimmered, and a ghostly image of the late Queen Serenity floated in midair. "Mother..." Neo-Queen Serenity said softly.

The ancient queen smiled radiantly. "My daughter," she began. "the fact that you are seeing this means you have taken a husband, and have brought the Crystal Palace out of dormancy. For this, I am proud of you. You have truly become the heir to my throne.

"I suspect that by now, your memories are complete enough that you are aware that, in my time, there was no such Senshi as Sailor Moon. This is what I would speak to you about."

The Queen paused. "For as long as the Moon Kingdom reigned, the daughters of the line of Serenity commanded great power, but alas, we were never well-trained in its use. With the Ginzuishou, and the inherent power of the blood of Serenity, we were able to bring the solar system together into one great, beautiful union, and maintained that union throughout the Silver Millenium.

"With the Sailor Senshi to protect us from any potential threats, there never seemed to be a reason for the royal bloodline to be trained strictly in our powers. All we needed to know was how to call upon the power of the Ginzuishou, and how to be good rulers.

"When the Dark Kingdom invaded, I began to question this policy." The Queen looked down, her expression sorrowful. "As those dear to me, those who looked up to me as their Queen and as their friend, began to fall, I began to second-guess my own power. I began to believe that, if I had been more properly trained, had spent time in my youth as a warrior for peace, it might have helped turn the tide against the Dark Kingdom.

"Shortly before the end, when I realized what must come to pass, I created the powers of a Sailor Senshi who would not appear until long after the collapse of the Silver Millenium...Sailor Moon." She paused. "I gave the transformation artifact for this warrior to Luna, and instructed her to give it to you, my daughter, when next she saw you. It was my hope that, should the Dark Kingdom ever return, the experience you would gain as a Sailor Senshi would enable you to do what I could not; to destroy them for all time, and live through the final battle." She smiled again. "The very fact that you are hearing this message means that this has come to pass, and that my final act as Queen was not in vain.

"Serenity, my daughter, please remember what I have said. A queen must know more than protocol and policies, must be able to do more than hold court and command her warriors. A queen must know how to fight to protect her kingdom and her subjects during a time of crisis. Do not lose sight of your training, and when your children are old enough, you must see to their training as well.

"I must bid you farewell now, my beloved daughter. Please remember these, my final words. The light of the moon is the message of love, and will always guide you. May you rule always in peace and happiness, and may the line of Serenity shine brightly for all time." The image faded slowly away.

Neo-Queen Serenity stood gazing at the empty space, tears in her eyes. She was smiling. "Goodbye, Mother," she said softly. "I'll make you proud." She turned to Endymion. "Come, husband," she said, "we have much to attend to this day."

Endymion followed his wife out of the royal suite, marveling at the newfound confidence she displayed.

In the circular hallway surrounding the throne room, the queen and king encountered Saturn and Shingo. The two teens bowed. "Good morning, Your Majesties," they said.

Serenity smiled. "Good morning Saturn, Shingo-kun. How was your first night in the palace?"

"Just fine, Serenity-sama," Saturn said. Shingo nodded agreement.

"That's a nice uniform, Shingo-kun," Serenity said.

Shingo shrugged. "It's more comfortable than the tux, at any rate," he said, smiling. He glanced at the king. "How do you stand to wear a cape all the time?" He motioned to the garment draped over his arm. "I don't even know why that assistant thing gave me this."

Endymion chuckled. "It's not so bad once you get used to it." He winked. "It's especially nice for dramatic entrances." Grinning, he plucked the accessory from Shingo's arm, unfurling it with a snap and a flourish. In one smooth motion, he draped it across the young teen's shoulders, fastening the braided cord and attaching the gleaming silver epaulets to the shoulderpads of Shingo's uniform with practiced ease. He stood back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Quite dignified," he commented.

Serenity and Saturn giggled. "It does suit you," the queen smiled.

Shingo groaned. "And I thought the tux was bad." The others laughed, and he cracked a smile after a moment of good-natured grumbling.

Four stomachs growled in perfect harmony, causing their owners to blush. "I think Jupiter mentioned something about breakfast in the old shrine," Serenity said. "We should probably head out there."

"Sounds good to me," Endymion said. They made their way through the door to the east courtyard.

Breakfast had been remarkable; Jupiter and Ikuko had managed to take a week's worth of food for three people and turn it into a veritable banquet for twenty-four plus two cats. The portions hadn't been generous, but they were at least filling, and hunger sated, the group returned to the throne room. Most of the palace 'staff' wore uniforms similar to Shingo's, lacking only the shoulderpads, ornamental insignia, and—much to Shingo's chagrin—capes. The exceptions were the Ayakashi Sisters, who wore vastly different, somewhat bizarre outfits, Hino-san, still clad in Shinto robes, and Tomoe-sensei, whose uniform sported violet trim and a small amethyst crest bearing the sign of Saturn. A lab coat completed the ensemble. Shingo noticed that his mother and father had the same insignia on their uniforms as he wore. Pluto instructed everyone to kneel as the royal couple made their way to their thrones.

"You may rise," Serenity said as she and Endymion sat down.

"If I may, Your Majesty," Luna said from her place at the Queen's side, "I believe it would be an appropriate time for a crash course in court etiquette."

Serenity groaned. "Oh, Luna..."

Luna cleared her throat. "For them, Your Majesty."

"Oh. Um...okay, if you think," Serenity said, blushing. There was a muted round of snickering, and Mars facepalmed when she thought nobody was looking.

Luna stepped forward to address the assemblage. "Before we make our presence known to the outside world, we must know how to conduct ourselves both in this palace and in public.

"The royal court and any public encounters on the palace grounds are considered times to observe official protocol. Official protocol dictates that when approaching, or approached by, the Queen or King, you must kneel. If you encounter a Sailor Senshi or one of the other nobles, you must bow.

"In an informal protocol situation, which means anywhere within the Palace aside from the throne room, you must bow to the Queen and King, and acknowledge Senshi and nobles by the appropriate title."

"What are the appropriate titles?" Umino asked. "And who are the nobles you keep referring to?"

"The nobles," Luna said, "are the direct relatives of Their Majesties and the Sailor Senshi. In other words," she clarified, "the Tsukino family are the higher-ranking nobility, while any family member of a Senshi is a noble of lesser rank. This includes those not currently within the palace," Luna added, "although they have no official status at this time.

"The Queen and King are exempt from using the appropriate titles if they choose not to. The Sailor Senshi are only required to address the higher nobility by appropriate title. Everyone else must observe the protocol of titles at all times."

"Luna," Serenity admonished gently, "you're losing them." *And me,* she did not add.

Luna sighed. "You already know the appropriate titles by which to address the King and Queen," she said. "The Sailor Senshi are addressed with the title of 'Lady', followed by the appropriate name. If they are in Senshi form, you must address them as such. Otherwise, address them by their personal name. Regardless of rank, all other nobles are addressed as either 'Lord' or 'Lady'."

"Why didn't she just say so in the first place?" Yuuichirou muttered aside to Motoki.

Motoki shrugged. "I guess she likes to make long-winded lectures."

Luna scowled. "Perhaps you'd like to listen to a long-winded lecture on the precision hearing of cats? Or on traditional methods of attitude adjustment?" she snapped, baring her sharp claws.

"No, sensei," Motoki and Yuuichirou both droned. Luna sighed, and everyone else snickered.

"There will be more protocol to discuss once everything is running smoothly around here," Luna said. "For now, that's all you need to remember."

"Thank you, Luna," Serenity said. There was a pause, and the queen looked at the Ayakashi Sisters. "I assume you haven't regained the powers you lost when the Black Moon Family influence was removed," she said.

Petz shook her head. "No, Your Majesty, we have not."

Serenity nodded. "Very well. Approach the throne, please."

The sisters did so, and Serenity placed her hands upon the Ginzuishou, closing her eyes. It began to glow brightly, and a soft wind stirred around the four women. After a moment, the Queen opened her eyes and smiled.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Petz said. "We will serve you well." The Ayakashi Sisters walked back to where they had been standing, and the other courtiers noticed that the quartet now bore silver crescent marks upon their foreheads.

Pluto spoke up. "Your Majesty, we must now discuss our strategy for revealing ourselves to the outsiders."

Serenity's brow furrowed. "Yes. After all, we need to be able to make contact with family and friends out there, and to buy supplies in Tokyo." She frowned. "What will we do for money?"

"That is already taken care of," Pluto said. "I took the liberty of appointing myself the royal treasurer, and spent most of the night setting up accounts with the palace treasury."

"The Palace has a treasury?" Serenity asked. "Wow, they were really thorough when they set up this place."

Pluto nodded. "A modest fortune in Silver Millenium gold pieces, polished gems, silver and platinum bars..." the others whistled.

"Enough money to fund a fledgling kingdom," Endymion mused.

"Exactly," Pluto said.

"How did you manage to set up accounts with stuff like that overnight?" Shingo wondered.

Pluto smiled enigmatically. "All I needed was a little time," she said. Serenity giggled, while Endymion, the other Senshi, and the two cats groaned. The Ayakashi Sisters shook their heads in amusement. Everyone else simply looked confused.

"I liked her better when she was cold all the time," Venus remarked to Jupiter.

"That takes care of one problem," Tomoe-sensei said. "The next question is...how will people out there react when we go outside?"

There was silence for a moment. "I believe it would be a mistake to simply announce who we are to the world and hope they take it well," Serenity said.

Pluto nodded. "I agree, Your Majesty. Right now, the governments of the world are all nervous about the hostilities in the Middle East, and the continual aggressive posturing of North Korea. A self-proclaimed sovereign nation appearing in the middle of Japan overnight would not likely be well received."

"Right...if we reveal ourselves now, people might panic...we can't let that happen," Saturn spoke up. There was an undercurrent of sadness in her voice.

"But can we just sit in here and keep the world guessing?" Endymion wondered.

"Endymion-sama," Pluto said, "Nobody knows where Stonehenge came from. Does the world see it as a threat?"

Everyone considered that thoughtfully.

"Okay, but what about food, appliances, basic neccessities of life?" Serenity asked. "We know the palace gives us clothing, energy, and water, but it can't give us food, or refrigerators, ovens...televisions..."

"Face it," Shingo spoke up, "somebody's gonna have to go outside sooner or later, and there's that whole mob scene going on..."

"Getting large items into the palace without being noticed will be virtually impossible," Pluto said.

"Hmmm...you know," Jupiter said, "people in Tokyo know about the Sailor Senshi...if we're seen out there, getting stuff and bringing it in here, maybe people will just assume we've got a new home base and we're moving in. It wouldn't be far from the truth," she said.

"She's got a point," Uranus said. "People have seen stranger things than this around here."

"Okay, but what about the rest of us?" Motoki asked. "What about when we're seen coming and going?"

There was silence. "It's too bad we don't know how the Shitennou teleported around so easily," Serenity commented.

"Hmm..." Mercury said. Everyone turned their attention to her, but she was ignoring them. She sat down on the floor, pulling out her computer and visor. Beeps, flashes, and occasional curses emitted from her location, and finally she gave a cheer of victory. "Got it!" With a few more keystrokes, a section of the wall in front of her flashed, and spat forth a small pile of eight-sided crystals. She picked one up, examining it. Everyone gasped as she suddenly disappeared.

"What the—?"

A few seconds later, Mercury walked in through one of the entrances to the throne room, grinning. "Teleportation crystals," she said.

"Say what?" Jupiter asked.

Mercury scooped up the pile of crystals, and walked around the room, distributing one to each of the Senshi except Pluto, and one to each of the palace staff. "Their Majesties won't need these," she commented, "because Serenity-sama can use the Ginzuishou to teleport, and Endymion-sama can use the power of the Earth."

"They have no reason to leave the palace at this time in any case," Pluto advised. "They are far safer in here."

"So, what do we do with these?" Shingo asked.

"For now, put them in your clothes," Mercury said. "Later, everyone can find their own means for wearing them...necklaces, rings, earring, choker, whatever." She tucked her own crystal into the trim of her glove. "To use it, simply concentrate on a destination, and hold it for a few seconds. The crystal will send you wherever you want to go." She paused. "I advise you not to teleport anywhere too close to the palace. These crystals can send you anywhere in Tokyo. Beyond that, you'll need to take conventional transportation."

"Also," Pluto added, "don't teleport directly into the throne room unless there's an emergency. Teleport into the entry hallway." She pointed to the wall facing the thrones. "Or into the Round Hall." She gestured around her.

"How much can we haul around this way?" Jupiter asked.

"You can teleport a maximum of two people besides yourself," Mercury said, "but it limits the range. You'd need to get within two kilometers of the palace to return. The more you're carrying, the more of a drain it puts on the crystal."

"So...how are we going to get appliances in here?" Ikuko asked.

"Have them delivered to the street address of Hikawa Shrine," Pluto said.

"Are you crazy!?" Mars shouted. "What happens when delivery trucks start coming to the palace?"

"The Senshi bring in the deliveries," Pluto said. "As Jupiter said earlier, we should give the impression that this is nothing more than the home base of the Sailor Senshi. It will compromise the identity of Sailor Mars, but that's a moot point. Sooner or later, when nothing happens besides a lot of normal household equipment being delivered, and the occasional sighting of a Sailor Senshi buying groceries, the public will lose interest. We'll have to deal with the Palace becoming a tourist attraction, and probably constant external surveillance by the Japanese government, but that's nothing we need to concern ourselves with."

"Can't argue with logic like that," Jupiter said.

Serenity nodded. "Alright then. I assume, Pluto, that you've got money or credit cards for everyone?"

Pluto produced a briefcase from her subspace pocket. Inside were several thick stacks of yen notes, as well as a small pile of plastic cards. "It took some doing to coerce my banking associates into approving these cards," she said, "but they're legal." She began handing them to the Sailor Senshi.

"Now why wouldn't they—oh," Mars said, as she was handed a credit card issued to 'Sailor Mars'. "I see."

"Why don't we just go out there in our regular forms?" Venus wondered.

"Because we might still need the advantage of having a disguise to fall back on," Pluto said. "Plus, remember, we're making it look like the Sailor Senshi are setting up shop here."

"Right, I forgot," Venus mumbled as Pluto handed her a card.

"I'll handle ordering the appliances for the palace kitchens," Pluto said. "I have contacts who can supply industrial-grade kitchenwares that won't ask questions."

"We won't need to worry about laundry," Mercury commented from where she was still hooked into the palace with her computer. "The palace itself can take care of dirty clothes."

Pluto divided a stack of yen notes among the Senshi. "Use these for groceries, toiletries, and such," she said, "as well as for public transportation if necessary, and anything else you might need." She smiled. "Don't worry about expenses, we're not going broke anytime soon." She retrieved two more stacks from the briefcase, and divided the yen up amongst the others. "Lady Ikuko," she said, "you should go with Sailor Jupiter to order groceries to stock the kitchens. The rest of you," she said, "take care of getting in touch with anyone you need to talk to, and buy whatever personal effects you need." She paused. "Don't mention the palace or anything you've seen here to anyone that doesn't need to know."

Serenity smiled. "Well, everyone who's leaving may leave at their convenience. Good luck, and be careful out there."

//The Senshi are among us! Various reports, some rumor and hearsay, some official eyewitness accounts, report that Tokyo's long-standing urban legends, the Sailor Senshi, have been spotted in various locations in Tokyo. Already, these Senshi have been seen in grocery stores, appliance stores, and numerous other places of business. Field reporter Yamazaki Meiko interviewed Mafuni Yoshiro of Kichi Appliance Emporium:

//She was right there in front of me! The blond one, you know, the one that wears orange? She paid by credit card, and get this, the card said 'Sailor Venus' on it, and it was valid!

//Could this sudden surge of Senshi sightings be related to the Nazo no Daizuishou? Stay tuned to this station for exclusive reports as our street beat roams Tokyo, In Search of Sailor Senshi. Now, back to...//

"Man, what a bunch of shit!" said the young man watching the newscast on a store television.

"Pretty ridiculous," added the girl who had walked up beside him, giggling.

"That's so stupid, you know? Sailor Senshi, walking around like regular people...with credit cards, yet! Get real." He turned to the girl next to him. "Don't you...agree..."

"Oh, definitely," Sailor Saturn agreed, nodding.

The man panicked. "Sai...a Sailor..."

Saturn smiled sweetly. "You'll have to excuse me," she said, "I'm going inside now to buy one of those nice digital satellite systems." She produced a purple plastic card from someplace, and held it up. "Don't leave home without it," she remarked, winking. Fighting to keep from laughing out loud at the man's expression, Saturn walked into the electronics store.

Mika walked around, trying to get a fix on the reading she'd taken yesterday.

When the entity had absorbed Mika's soul and shattered her mind, it had not expected to merge so completely with the young girl. Yet, Mika's thoughts, everything the girl knew, did, and was, all had become part of the entity's dark consciousness. It now considered itself to be Mika, only completely evil. A sort of...Dark Mika, she giggled to herself. As such, she'd been able to 'become' Mika, adopt her mannerisms and personality, enough to completely fool the girl's family. Her body had needed rest after the strain and trauma of merging with the powerful evil. Refreshed and recharged, Dark Mika now roamed the shopping district, trying to track down what she'd felt the day before.

Still, the energy field that giant crystal was throwing over Tokyo was interfering with her senses, keeping her from getting a clear lock on the speck of evil she had detected earlier.

As she walked, trying to pinpoint the energy, she noticed something very powerful coming down the sidewalk across the street. She looked over, and saw a Sailor Senshi go into a store.

She scowled as a memory welled up from somewhere within. Destruction at the hands of the Senshi. The threat they pose. Constant, total failure and humiliation at their hands. She clenched a fist.

Yes, the Sailor Senshi would be a definite problem. Especially since she had no army to command...army to command? Where had that thought come from?

And yet, she seemed to remember, on the edge of her consciousness, commanding armies of powerful demons at one time. She tried to remember more, tried to remember how to summon her servants. It was no use...the knowledge was lost to her.

*Very well...I'll just have to build a new army,* she mused. But how...? She certainly didn't have the power yet to create a full-fledged servant.

Another memory welled up, from the part of her that was Mika. A powerful creature the girl had once seen in an American film. Mika remembered something she'd learned about that film: the producers had actually built the creature, instead of using computers to put it into the movie, as was the standard procedure these days. A full animatron, requiring a sizeable puppeteering staff to operate. It now sat in a warehouse somewhere, gathering dust.

She smiled. Yes, that would do quite nicely. Ducking into an alleyway, she concentrated, focusing the power she'd accumulated. Within a few minutes, she held in her hands a glowing black spark, an evil soul like hers, only less powerful, less complete. One that would exist only to serve her.

"Go forth, my little friend," she told it. "Seek out the lifeless husk whose image I have burned into your essence. Once you find it, you will be complete. Obtain energy from the humans there to make yourself strong, then return to me...my beautiful new youma."

The youma soul rose from her hands and shot over the rooftops, headed towards the Pacific Ocean.

Shingo paced the east courtyard of the palace, trying to decide what he wanted to do. Earlier, when Saturn had left, he'd helped Hino-san and Yuuichirou move most of the appliances from the old temple building to Mars' room, barely managing to convince the assistant module, Asuka, to go along with Mars' orders and let them in. Shingo hoped he didn't have to visit Mars very often; Asuka was nasty and rude. *Why the hell did she have to program that thing to be such a bitch?* he wondered.

Hotaru had forbidden him to go shopping with her, saying she was going to surprise him with a few things. He didn't really have anyone to visit outside, and couldn't think of anything he really needed right now, except maybe some manga and schoolbooks from his house. He wasn't in any particular hurry to get them, but it would be something to do at least.

Just as he was about to try teleporting, Luna approached him. "Lord Shingo," she called out, practicing what she had been preaching earlier.

Shingo paled. He still hadn't gotten used to the idea of talking cats. "Uh...hai?"

Luna looked down. "Gomen...I'd forgotten about your feelings toward cats..." she turned to walk away.

Not heartless by any stretch of the imagination, Shingo picked up on Luna's hurt tone, and his discomfort over the black cat began to erode. After all, he reasoned, Luna's not going to hurt me. I know that. Right. "Hey...Luna, wait..." he said. Luna turned around. "Umm...look, I know we didn't get off to a good start, but...I mean, if I'm gonna be living in the palace, I guess I can get over it." He smiled.

Luna returned the smile, and padded back over to him. "That's a very noble attitude. I see I've made the right choice."

"Choice?" Shingo blinked. "For what?"

"As Her Majesty's advisor, I also have the task of selecting candidates for the palace guard. It is a position of great honor, and great responsibility," Luna said, "as the palace guards are charged with the duty of defending the palace from both the curious as well as the hostile." Looking up intently, she said, "I've decided to nominate you as one of the palace guards."

Shingo gaped. "Me? But...but I don't even know how to fight!" he protested. "The day I found out Hotaru is Saturn, some punk creamed me with one punch!"

"That's because you've never been properly trained," Luna said. "A problem easily remedied. Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Uranus, Pluto, Hino-san, Yuuichirou, even King Endymion...there are no shortage of experienced fighters within the Palace to learn from." She paused. "When your sister became Sailor Moon, she learned to fight fairly quickly, even if she had problems at first." Another pause, and Luna gave Shingo a sly grin, as though she were about to say something naughty. "If that klutzy odango-atama could do it, you should have no problems."

Shingo began laughing. Luna giggled as well. When they calmed down, Shingo said, "But why do we even need a palace guard, with the Senshi around?"

Luna sighed. "Evil is never fully extinguished, merely hindered. There may be times when the Senshi have to leave the Crystal Palace to do battle."

"Leaving the palace unguarded...I understand now," Shingo said.

"Also, the Senshi need bodyguards," Luna added. "They can't very well use their powers against normal humans who are simply too curious for their own good."

Shingo bowed his head. "Yeah, that's for sure. Especially not Saturn."

Luna looked up, concerned. "You're upset because your girlfriend's powers are designed purely to destroy."

"I'm concerned because I know what effect it's having on her to cope with those powers," Shingo said. "Have you heard the story of how I found out about Sailor Saturn?"

Luna nodded. "Vaguely. I know the two of you were attacked by a street gang, and Hotaru had to transform to drive them off."

"But the leader wouldn't leave, so she killed him," Shingo said. "I know it's been haunting her ever since."

Luna sighed. "This is exactly why you should agree to become a palace guard," she said. "So that kind of thing doesn't happen."

Shingo nodded. "Alright...I accept, on the condition that you make me Hotaru's personal bodyguard."

"Of course," Luna said, smiling. "Excuse me, I need to round up the other guard candidates. Report to the class three training facility in half an hour." As she headed off towards the old shrine building, Shingo blinked.

"Hey, where's that at?" he wondered.

"Hey! Hey you, stop that vehicle!" Major Takada shouted at the delivery van which had pulled into the middle of the crowd.

The driver and his partner jumped out, and scratched their heads as they puzzled over a piece of paper. "This can't be the right address," the driver said.

"That's what was in the computer," his partner replied.

"Hold it, what's this?" the major asked as he approached them. "What are you doing here?"

"Not sure," the driver said. "We're just doing our job...the delivery order has this address, see?" he held it out for the major to inspect.

"Well...it's probably a mistake," Takada said. "This area's under JSDF surveillance right now." He pointed at the towering spire of crystal. "I don't think anybody in there could have bought appliances."

"You sure?" the driver's buddy said. "I mean, you've heard about all the Senshi sightings in town, right?"

"Senshi sightings?" Takada echoed.

"Yeah, they've been seen all over town, buying all kinds of things."

Behind them, in the street, a few more delivery vans pulled up, their drivers staring up at the spire and wondering if they were in the right place.

"Still though..." the major began, but was interrupted by a loud murmuring from the crowd, and a tap on the shoulder from behind.

"Excuse me," a polite female voice said. "If you boys are finished talking, we'd like to get our new refrigerator and range inside."

The deliverymen looked up, and gaped. Major Takada slowly turned around, to see a beautiful aqua-haired woman and a tall, short-haired blond woman, both wearing shimmering sailor fuku, standing behind him. The aqua-haired Senshi smiled politely, while her friend smirked, arms crossed.

Major Takada suddenly felt numb. "Uhhh...yes ma'am," he said dumbly. "Sorry for the...delay...carry on, gentlemen," he added, never taking his eyes off the two Senshi even as he walked back over to his jeep.

"Um, where, um..." the driver began.

The two Senshi walked over to the van, and came out carrying a refrigerator a minute later. "You two get the range and follow us," the tall one said. "We'll wait for you up there."

Numbly, the deliverymen did as they were told, while the crowd murmured in awe.

Two security guards strolled leisurely through a warehouse, checking to make sure everything was where it belonged.

"You know," one of them commented as they walked past a tall wooden crate, "I'm glad they finally put that thing in a box. I get the creeps every time I walk past it."

"Like it's gonna come alive and beat the living shit out of you?" his partner asked, snorting. "Get real. That thing hasn't been 'alive' for years, and even then it took a whole damn crew of people to run it."

"I know," the first guard said. "It's just...I dunno. Just being stupid, I guess."

"Damn right you're being stupid, Wedge."

As they walked away, a black spark descended from the skylight and passed through the crate...

A sudden flash of awareness permeated its being, searing pain roaring through its body as wires, circuits, metal framework, PVC, and myriad other components became as flesh; still machine, and yet so much more. Electric muscles which barely worked at one time now would work smoothly, flawlessly, continously, without the support of technicians. The control circuits the puppeteers created shattered, absorbed into its brains and body, knitting together into a new matrix. The pain subsided, and a surge of power...dark power...coursed through its miraculously refitted torso.

What its essence lacked had now been found, and what the body lacked, it now possessed.

And for the first time in years, and the first time ever with a voice truly its own, the creature raised its arms to the sky, and roared...

"The HELL was that!?"

The two guards drew their weapons, looking around warily for the source of the terrible sound.

"Okay, that was too weird." Wedge's gun trembled slightly in his grasp.

"Shit, are you crazy? It's probably some practical joker out for a good time. Alright you," the second guard shouted. "Fun's over, come out now."

"You want me...to come out?" a deep voice boomed, echoing across the high rafters of the warehouse.

"You heard me, wiseguy. Enough is enough. Show yourself."

"I don't think that's such a good idea," Wedge said.

"As...you...WISH!" the voice roared. The three-meter tall crate standing against the wall of the warehouse shuddered violently before exploding, spraying splinters in all directions.

"Oh SHIT. Oh shit, oh shit, oh motherfucking SHIT..." Wedge stammered, taking several steps back.

"How the hell...? Who's controlling it?" his partner wondered.

"Nobody controls me," the creature boomed, stalking towards them. The building shook with each step it took.

"You...you stay back..." the rent-a-cop said. "Alright...whoever's controlling this thing, you've made your point already! Shut it down!"

"I SAID..." the creature bellowed. It stood directly in front of them now. "NOBODY..." As the guards raised their guns to fire, its lower arms seized their hands, knocking the weapons to the floor and causing them to cry out in pain. "CONTROLS..." It grabbed each of them by the throat using its upper arms, raising them up to its eye level. "PRINCE..." The guards screamed as the creature's eyes began to glow, and they felt their lifeforce being ripped from their bodies. "GORO!"

Goro unceremoniously tossed the dead guards across the warehouse. He flexed his three-fingered hands, examining them curiously. "At last...at long last, I am free...free to do what I was born to do..."

*Goro,* a voice rang in his mind. *Gather energy from the humans around you. Use the energy to bring yourself to the islands of Japan, and find me. I have need of your services.*

"I hear and obey, my savior," Goro rumbled. He located the pathetically undersized exit, and stalked out of the warehouse.

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