SAILOR MOON STORY - RISE OF THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE

Chapter 2 - Food and Friends

	The two motorcyclists quickly speed through the streets of the town, both the cyclists scanning the area, looking for something.  

“We’ve been at this since daybreak.  Can’t we take a break,” one of them asks the other.  

“Not yet,” the other replies,” we still have one more sector to scout.”  

“Can’t we just get it after we eat?”  

	The other shook his helmeted head and continued to the next sector.  

“Fine, be that way.”  

	He kept quiet as they began scanning the last sector of their patrol.  It took them twenty minutes to scan the sector because of traffic and congestion in the streets.  Upon completion, they both pulled over on a side street and parked their bikes.  One of the bikers removed his helmet.  

“Now can we get something to eat, Michael?”  

	Before Michael could answer, his stomach growled.  

“We’re done here.  Besides, I think my stomach just betrayed me.  Where do you want to go?”  

“Well, there’s this little place Forge told us about.”  

“Where’s it at?”  

“The other side of town,” Tommy replied.  

“Fine by me.”  

	Both put their helmets back on and headed to their destinations.  It took them only ten minutes to get there.  Once they parked their bikes, the two headed inside.  Inside, there were a few customers, but the place wasn’t packed.  Above the registers were the menus and the name of the place: Crown’s Arcade and Food Parlor.  Anything from a sandwich to a pizza could be found on it.  

“That sounds good,” Tommy said as he pointed to the menu.  

“Nah.  I think I’ll get a chicken sandwich.”  

“Suit yourself.”  

	Both walked up to the register.  A cute female was on the other side.  

“Hi, what can I get you today,” she asked.  

“I would like a cheeseburger meal, but instead of the soda, I would like your cherry shake,” Tommy said to her, "and that’ll do it.”  

	She gave him the total and he payed her.  

“All right,”  she said as the receipt printed up, “your order is number eight.”  

“Thank you.”  

	Tommy smiled at her, which caused her to slightly blush.  

“A cherry shake,” Michael asked.  

	Tommy just smiled as he walked by his friend to a table nearby.  Michael just shook his head and approached the register.  

“Hi, what can I get you today.”  

“Your chicken sandwich meal, with onion rings instead of fries, and a chocolate shake instead of the soda.”  

	She repeated his order and gave him the total, which he paid.  

“Your number is nine,” she said as she gave him the receipt.  

“Thank you,” he said as he smiled, which also brought a slight blush to her face.  

Michael headed over to the table and sat down.  

“She is cute,” Tommy said.  

“That she is.  Besides, she probably has a boyfriend.  And, to top it all off, we are already interested.”  

“Yeah, Ami,” Tommy said with a smile.  

	Michael just smiled at his friend.  They waited a little longer and their numbers were called.  They picked up their food and began to eat.  

“Are you sure you don’t want to try a bit of my shake?”  

“I’d rather drink gasoline.”  

	Tommy just shrugged his shoulders and continued eating.  A few minutes later, another group walked in.  Michael was about to ask Tommy a question, but the look on Tommy’s face made him turn around and look in the direction Tommy was looking.  There, near the registers, were Ami, Lita, Rei, Mina, and Serena, talking to themselves and giggling here and there.  Michael quickly turned around and tried to snap Tommy out of his love trance.  

“Hello.  Anyone home?  Tommy…love bird…”  

Nothing seemed to work.  He quickly shook his friend, which brought him out of his trance.  

“Huh?  Oh, sorry.”  

“Good thing one of us has some control.”  

“I have control, but it kinda slips when she’s around.”  

	Tommy began looking back up, but Cephius brought him back to reality.  

“It would seem a bit rude if we just stared at them.”  

“I guess your right.  We do have an image to uphold.  But it’s so hard when…”  

“Hey, Tommy, Michael,” Mina waved at them when she spotted them.  

	They both looked an waved at the group.  Lita and Ami quickly turned around to see who Mina was yelling at.  Both quickly blushed.  

“It’s your boyfriends,” Serena said as she walked past the two.  

	That caused a deeper blush.  

“You guys really are smitten by them,” Rei said.  

“Gee, how can you tell,” Mina said with a giggle.  

	Ami and Lita gave the three girls a quick stare.  Serena walked up to the two guys.  

“Mind if we join you,” she asked.  

“Please,” Michael replied, followed closely by a sure from Tommy.  

	Michael and Tommy quickly joined enough tables for all seven of them.  The rest of the group joined them.  And, of course, Rei and Mina, with the help from Serena were able to sit Ami next to Tommy and Lita next to Michael.  

“What brings you here,” Michael said to start the conversation.  

“We just finished cleaning out Rei’s grandfather’s temple.”  

“Glad you were able to come here,” Tommy said.  

“And the both of you,” Rei asked.  

“Someone told us of this place while we were in town, so we decided to try it out,” Michael answered.  

“It’s small, but the food is really good,” Serena commented.  

“It is,” Tommy added.  

	Serena got up to get her food, quickly followed by Ami and Lita.  Once they came back, Rei and Mina got their food.  For the next twenty minutes, they ate and chatted, talking about this and that.  

“Well, it’s about time Tommy and I leave.  It was good to see all of you again.”  

“We ought to plan to get together sometime,” Serena suggested. 

“Hey,” Mina said, “there’s a fireworks show that we are going to at the park.  Would both of you like to go with us?”  

	Lita and Ami looked at the guys, with the expressions of ‘please’ on their faces.  

“We would be glad to.  Where do you want us to meet you at?”  

“Same place we met yesterday.  At eight o’clock.”  

“It’s a…I mean, sounds good,” Tommy said.  

	Serena, Rei , and Mina smile at the cover-up.  

“See you at eight then,” Serena said.  

	Both of the guys waved and headed out.  

“What do you think Serena?  Lita and Michael and Ami and Tommy.  Two cute couples, don’t you think,” Rei asked.  

“They do look good together,” Serena replied with a grin.  

	Ami and Lita both blushed at the thought.  After the girls finished their lunch, they headed for the temple.  There, they were supposed to have a meeting of some sort.  Once everyone arrived, Rei started the meeting.  

“I’ve done some search on the two that helped us, but couldn’t find anything.  And, to top it off, I have never encountered a creature that could control both the positive and negative powers without it blowing up in his/her’s face.  It’s just not possible.”  

“Not true.  There is a 1% chance that a baby born with both powers can survive.  And it seems that he is the one percent,” Ami commented.  

“But it bothers her that this person can use the negative powers as easily as the positive.”  

“It presents a big threat to us.  If he were to use these powers on us, we might not live through it,” Rei added. 

 “But he won’t,” a voice said from the door.  Darien slowly walked in.  

“How can you be so sure,” Rei asked.  

“I knew them once.  That I can recall, but I know for a fact that they would sacrifice their lives for us,” Darien said as he stared at Rei.  

“But he has part of the Negaverse in him.  If he were to turn…”  

“He won’t,” Darien said, rather annoyed.  

“Neither one of them.  I would bet my life on it.”  

	Rei wanted to say more, but the look on Darien’s face made it clear that it would be pointless.  

“And the rest of you,” Serena asked, “what are your opinions?”  

“I believe the mean us no harm,” Mina said.  

“I agree with Mina, but I also believe that we should be cautious,” Lita answered.  

“I’m with Lita on this one,” Ami said.  

“All right.  Hopefully, the next fight will give us a clue as to their intentions.  Say alert everyone.  If there are no more questions?”  

	She looked around at the group.  Rei seemed content with the plan.  The only one who seemed to disapprove was Darien.  

“Then everyone split.  We’ll meet each other at the fireworks party.  Oh, and by the way, Michael and Tommy have been invited to the party," Serena quickly added.  Both Lita and Ami smiled.  

“Okay by me,” Darien added with a smile.  

	The rest agreed and headed their separate ways.

	Tommy and Michael headed back to the mansion on the outside of town.  Once inside, they were greeted by Forge, Sampson and Siren.  

“Well,” Forge asked.  

“No attacks at this time, but the both of us have a date at the fireworks show tonight,” Cephius reported  

“Really,” Siren asked, “who are they?”  

“Well, the one I’m looking at is Ami.  He’s going after Lita,” Tommy said.  

“About time you guys got dates.  You need it,” Sampson said as he patted their shoulders.  

“But stay alert.  We don’t know when they will attack,” Forge said to the two.  

“We know, we know,” Tommy said as he sighed.  

	Forge gave him a dirty look and headed towards the secret turbolift doors.  

“Oh,” Forge said before reaching the doors, “the troops need a little confidence booster.  Their respective princes would be a bit of a lift for them.”  

“Got it,” Michael said as he transformed into Cephius.  

	Tommy quickly transformed into Vega and walked into the turbolift.  Once the turbolift stopped and the doors opened, two strong male voices yelled out, “Attention.”  All of the people in the huge cavern snapped to attention.  Two older gentlemen walked up to the two princes.  

“Lord Cephius, it is good to see you again.”  

“It’s good to see you to, General Vilos.  How are the troops?”  

“All are awake and have finished their advanced training.”  

“And you, General Duskmoon,” Vega asked.  

“Same with ours.  All are ready to fight.”  

“Good,” Cephius said.  "General Vilos and General Duskmoon, we will do a quick inspection.  If it’s up to par, there will be time for some R and R for these troops.”  

	Both of the generals smiled at the prospect of some time off.  Both of the princes began taking a look at the troops in the cavern that served as mess hall, conference room, and some place to relax.  Both Cephius and Vega could tell that these men and women were well up to standard, but could see a little bit of anxiety and exhaustion.  As the two continued down, straggler reached the line and quickly got into line.  Behind him, a little girl was tugging on his tunic.  

“Daddy, you promised to…”  

“Not now,” he whispered to the little girl.  

“Soldier,” Cephius called out to him.  

“Me, sir?”  

“Yes.  What is the problem here.”  

“I’m sorry sir.  I was trying to dislodge myself from my daughter.”  

“I see.  Is this your daughter,” Cephius said as he pointed to the little girl, who hid behind her daddy.  

“Y…yes sir.”  Cephius kneeled down.  

“What’s your name,” he asked softly.  

She seemed shy at first, but with a little nudging from her father she answered, “Mira.”  

“Do you like animals, Mira,” Cephius asked.  

“Yes,” she answered quietly.  

“What is your favorite animal.”  

“Cats, sir.”  

“I see.”  

Cephius brought his hands together and energy sparkled across them.  A small ball of light formed in his and flashed.  After the flash ended, a small stuffed cat lay in his hands.  

“Here you go.”  

	The girl took it from his hands, smiling and wide eyes.  

“What do you say to him,” her father asked.  

“Thank you,” she replied sweetly.  

That brought a smile to Cephius and Vega’s faces.  

“Well, soldier, I believe you had a prior engagement,” he said as he smiled at him.  

	The soldier visibly relaxed.  

“Thank you, your highness.”  

	He turned around and picked up his daughter.  

“Daddy, who is that man,” she asked as they walked away.  

“That was Prince Cephius.  And next to him is Prince Vega.”  

“They are real princes?”  

“Yes dear, they are.”  

	The voices were too far back to make out anything else.  

“Soldiers,” Vega announced, “I believe our inspection is through.  General Vilos, General Duskmoon, begin assigning R and R to these soldiers.  They’ve earned it."  

“Yes sir,” both of the generals said with smiles on their faces.  

“Attention,” General Vilos yelled out, and all stood at attention.  

	Once the soldiers saluted, they were dismissed and began hugging and clapping one another.  

“Good choice,” Forge said as he approached.  

“They needed it,” Cephius pointed out.  

“They have been training for two years straight.  None has had some real time to relax.  And some of them have families to worry about." 

	Cephius looked out over the cavern and saw the Mira on her father’s lap, him reading a book to her.  She looked up, smiled, and waved at them.  The two smiled back and waved back at her.  Suddenly, Cephius looked in a different direction.  Before Vega could ask, Forge’s communications went off.  He listened in on it.  

“They’re here.  About nine or ten of them,” Cephius said as he turned his attention to Forge.  

“Yeah.  We’ve got their location.”  

“Good,” Cephius said as the three headed towards the lift, “gather the group.  We have a battle on our hands.”

	It took them a little over a minute to get ready and three minutes to get there by air.  As they flew to the area, explosions could be seen and heard.  The scouts were there, already fighting the demons.  The group entered the fog that usually accompanied the demons and took their positions behind the scouts location.  There, four of the demons were badly hurt, while six seemed unharmed.  The scouts, however, were not in the best of shape.  

“We can’t hold them off,” Rei said to the scouts.  

“We’ve got to,” Serena says as she fires another blast at one of the injured demons, taking it out. 

"We are the last line of defense for the Earth.  We must stop them,” Tuxedo Mask said as he dodged a blast from the demons.  

“Get ready,” Lita said, “they’re coming for another attack.”  

	The demons began to build up their energy attacks.  Suddenly, out of the fog, five figures jumped into action.  Vega, the quickest, found the closest one and began a series of blows that caved in part of it’s skull and most of it’s chest area.  Cephius was next, hacking a demon in half from head to toe.  Forge, with his speed with the blades, cut the demon into numerous parts before he knew what happened.  The fourth fired a blast at one of the uninjured demons and completely vaporized it.  The fifth figure simply grabbed one of the demons by it’s head and squeezed, crushing it’s skull with a sickening crunch sound.  The last uninjured one quickly threw up a shield that blocked Ami’s attack.  

“He’s got a reflection shield up,” Rei said.  

	Cephius jumped into the air and began to concentrate his energy.  Black energy rippled over his right arm as he powered up.  Without warning, he fired his attack, a black energy dragon with it’s mouth wide open came rushing at the demon.  The demon realized, at the last second, that what was about to hit him was not positive energy, but negative energy, and he had no shield for that.  The explosion ripped apart the demon.  Once the fog began to clear, the damage done to the area was staggering.  Craters littered the ground all around them and buildings around the area were missing huge chunks of structure.  The scouts looked around at amazement and turned to the group.  Cephius floated down next to Vega.  Standing behind them was a huge man, at least seven-foot eight, muscles everywhere.  To his right was a beautiful lady, golden blonde hair, gorgeous blue eyes, and a body that would cause any man to do a double-take.  To the big man’s left was an older man, about thirty-five, putting away two swords that cut to pieces the demon that now lays in pieces behind them.  The two groups just stood there, looking at one another.  Finally, Sailor Moon snapped out of it.  

“Thank you for your help.  Without it, I fear we may have lost.”  

“We are glad that we could be of help.  I am sorry we did not introduce ourselves earlier.  I am Prince Vega.  This is Prince Cephius.  The tall guy is Sampson, the beautiful lady to his right is his sister, Siren.  The gentleman to his left is Forge.”  

“You are knights,” Tuxedo Mask said matter-of-factly.  

“Yes, we are.”  

	A clatter got the attention of the scouts.  When they looked back, the knights and senshi were leaving.  

“Wait,” Sailor Moon asked, “please do not go.  We hardly know anything about you.  

“For now we must go.  But we will meet again,” Cephius says and he begins to levitate from the ground.  

Soon, the entire group levitated off the ground and flew out of sight.  

“Who are they,” Ami asks.  

“I don’t know, yet the two in front seem familiar,” Sailor Moon answered.  

"Indeed,” Tuxedo Mask thought to himself as he left with the senshi

***************************************************************************************************

	Above the Great Red Spot, four figures floated.  All began to channel the negative energy and hurled their attacks as the storm.  The storm swallowed them up and, at first, nothing happened.  Then, the storm began to distort and began to be ripped apart from the inside.  A powerful flash of light was emitted from the storm, them all was calm.  The Great Red Spot continued to spin as if nothing had happened, but a lone figure hovered several feet above the top clouds of the storm.  The four smiled as the figure floated it’s way up into their midst.  “Welcome, master,” one of the males said.  “It is time,” the figure said in a deep, evil voice, "time to destroy the ones who imprisoned me and our people.  We will begin death and chaos in our wake.  Nothing will stop us.  The time of darkness…has begun.”