S26
Sailor Moon Defenders
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Twenty-Six: Revelations
"It's mine!"
The group looked on in surprise, realizing where that small voice came from.
"We forgot about…" Makoto started to say.
"Chibi Chibi!" Minako exclaimed in surprise.
The group looked to see Chibi Chibi running to Monitor, holding the incense burner she had the whole time. Seconds later, they saw the Sailor Starlights perusing the girl.
"You three!" Lothar exclaimed in alert. While the others prepared to fight, Rick stood next to Jedda, ready to protect her.
"The Sailor Guardians we met at the concert!" Flash glanced at the three newcomers in anger. "They followed us here!"
Rick glanced at the Sailor Starlights, wondering if they were also after his powers. He tensed as he gently held Jedda's hand.
"We discovered a power that one of your own has." Seiya answered. "Therefore, we followed you here."
"What?!" Ami exclaimed.
"What are you talking about?" Rick asked. A part of him thought it was the Necklace of Oros and another part of him thought it was his powers. The latter had to make sense which was why all these new people had arrived tonight.
"And that burner the girl is holding belongs to the princess!" Yaten stated as he glanced down at Chibi Chibi.
"You're not meaning Sailor Moon, are you?" LJ asked.
"That is of no concern to you!"
"Look," Lothar stepped forward, "I don't know who you three are, but you don't talk to my son like that!"
Rick looked down in concern as Taiki was now glancing down at Chibi Chibi. "Little girl, you must hand over that incense burner you are holding."
"No!" Chibi Chibi exclaimed, shaking her head. "No!"
He stood up as the girl was running away, not sure what he could do at first. Yaten blocked the girl from going any further.
"Look, just give it here." he sternly ordered.
"Nuh uh!" Chibi Chibi shook her head again.
"Leave her alone!" Rei demanded.
"Yeah." Makoto added. "What's your problem?"
"Don't interfere!" Yaten told the group.
"We don't have to explain ourselves to you." Taiki added.
"Enough!" Jedda stood up while trying to stay calm for her babies. "People who harass little girls are just plain rude, exactly like the three of you are acting!"
Yaten scoffed in response. "You're wrong if you think women and children should be given special treatment."
Rick couldn't help but to notice April muttering under her breath, "Sexist pigs."
"Excuse me?!" Jedda exclaimed, seemingly annoyed with the guests/intruders.
Yaten then approached her with a smirk on his face. "Maybe what you're really saying is go easy on you cause you are a girl, a pregnant one at that."
Rick felt his blood boil, overhearing the remark made towards his girlfriend. He glanced at him and barked. "That's enough!"
He emitted a blast of light blue energy at Yaten, who then blocked the attack.
Rick looked over at the others and then at Jedda. "It worked last time."
"You should be careful." Yaten crossed his arms. "Using that power for so long might be your downfall."
Rick shifted back. He wondered what this arrogant jerk meant but a part of him didn't really want to know what he meant by that saying. What is he talking about exactly?
"You have no idea who you're talking to!" Flash glanced at the three Sailor Guardians. "We are the Defenders of the Earth and these are the Sailor Guardians and you have the nerve to threaten a small child!"
"Like we don't know who all of you are." Taiki stated in annoyance.
Yaten glanced towards the others. "It doesn't matter who you are. Stay out of our way!"
Rick looked in worry as the Sailor Starlights stared at Chibi Chibi again as the girl was looking at them in fear.
"We will be taking that burner from you." Seiya told her.
Chibi Chibi only stared at them with the look of fear in her face. Rick looked at the child. Don't give in to them. Don't let them take that burner from you, not without us knowing why they would want it.
"Now!" Seiya exclaimed.
"No!" Chibi Chibi exclaimed in panic. "No! No!"
Suddenly, energy started to emerge from the incense burner. A large cloud of light spread across the room. Everyone proceeded to shield their eyes.
"What's happening?!" Jedda exclaimed.
Rick couldn't help but to remember that was how Zorelda came back to this universe in the first. It couldn't be Zorelda, could it?
"Now what?!" Flash demanded.
The energy faded, shrinking a bit. Rick saw a humanoid figure, a dark silhouette in the midst of the mass.
"It is all right, Chibi Chibi." a feminine voice spoke up. "Those three are my dear friends."
The light vanished and a woman stood before the group. She had long red hair and a long deep red dress and an orange clover appeared on her forehead.
"Princess!" the Sailor Starlights exclaimed in unison.
Everyone stared at the princess in awe.
"So that's the princess the Starlights were talking about!" LJ exclaimed.
"She's beautiful." Kshin stated in awe.
"I am Kakyuu," the princess introduced herself to everyone, "first crown princess of the Tankei Kingdom of the planet Kinmoku."
"Well," Flash nodded respectfully, "it's nice to meet you, Highness."
Kakyuu looked over at the Starlights before she faced the others. "I hope you will forgive the rudeness of my three friends. Each of them is a Sailor Guardian from the Kinmoku Star System."
"Well, that's a surprising revelation." Lothar quipped.
Rick watched as the Starlights knelt to their princess. He stared in awe of the woman. She was beautiful and unlike Zorelda and what used to be Hadea, Kakyuu seemed to be a kind woman.
"Princess, you're safe." Seiya spoke up with relief in his tone.
"We can't even begin to tell you how much we've longed to see you again, Princess." Taiki added.
"I am sorry for making you worry, my Starlights." Kakyuu told the three before facing Usagi and bowing to her. "And Sailor Moon, I am pleased to meet you, or rather Neo Queen Serenity, future ruler of the Silver Millennium."
"I guess the Silver Millennium is known universally." Mamoru couldn't help but to speak in surprise.
"How do you know me?" Usagi asked.
"Sailor Guardians across the galaxy aspire to be like the strong, beautiful Sailor Soldiers of this solar system." Kakyuu explained. "The moment you took your prince's hand and shone with the radiance of your planet's future king and queen, the power of that starlight, overflowing with life transcended time and space and spread across the galaxy."
She paused a moment before continuing to speak. "None of us had seen anything like it - a message from your mighty, white hot solar system. I've longed to meet you ever since."
"That's quite a speech, Majesty." Hotaru replied.
"And a beautiful one at that." Mandrake added, adjusting his hat slightly.
"I have been observing all of you for the short time since coming here," Kakyuu glanced down at Chibi Chibi's now empty incense burner, "from that incense burner."
"You've been watching us?!" Mamoru exclaimed.
"From that incense burner?" Usagi added.
"No way." Chibiusa stated in awe.
"Are you a friend to us?" the Phantom asked. "Can we really trust you?"
Rick sighed as he couldn't help but to think that given how the Starlights acted prior to this meeting, he had the right to ask that question.
"You can trust us." Kakyuu assured him. "This situation I fear also concerns you, the Defenders of the Earth. The galaxy needs saving."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Flash asked.
"Mind if I ask, but what is a Sailor Crystal?" LJ asked. "The enemy that attacked us at the concert mentioned something about the Sailor Guardians having Sailor Crystals."
"Everything in the heavens grows from a star seed, and not just stars." Yaten proceeded to explain. "They come in all shapes and sizes and they have different names but everything with life grows up from a star seed. This planet, and every one of its people has a star seed. The same goes for our planet and of course, it goes for us Sailor Guardians too. We all grow from star seeds."
"So that's the Sailor crystals that were mentioned." Rick stated.
"Sailor Galaxia is after all of the star seeds from Sailor Guardians." Seiya stated.
"Who's Sailor Galaxia?" Rei asked.
"She is the most powerful Sailor Guardian you will come across." Kakyuu answered. "Not yet though."
Kakyuu glanced towards the Defenders, standing up. "That's where we come to you, the Defenders of the Earth."
"Just what about us exactly?" Mandrake asked.
"And how do you know us?" Flash added.
"There's something else besides the Necklace of Oros and the Sailor Crystals residing in this planet which Galaxia is seeking." Seiya spoke up.
"Galaxia has been searching for a power from a far galaxy that can help her obtain star seeds easier." Yaten added before eyeing Rick, causing him to look on in fear. "We believe this young man might have that very power, which puts him in danger as well."
"Rick Gordon," Kakyuu asked, "can you explain what unnatural events happened to you recently?"
Rick looked down nervously, not sure how he was going to explain this to those strangers.
"You can't hesitate!" Taiki insisted. "The fate of the galaxy depends on it."
"Maker!" Seiya exclaimed, motioning him to be quiet.
He looked up, facing his father, who urged him to go ahead and tell them about everything they needed to know.
"I vaporized a girl in white who claimed to be a Sailor Guardian." Rick finally spoke up.
Kakyuu nodded. "Any dreams?"
"I dreamed I was attacked by a monster version of myself." Rick answered, this time without hesitation. "I also saw Chibi Chibi in an outfit like the Sailor Guardians. She saved me as I was falling, and that's how the dream ended."
Kakyuu nodded again. "What about any visions?"
Rick sighed. "Only a brief one. I saw my hands turning to monster like claws."
Yaten glanced at the other Starlights and Kakyuu. "Just as we suspected."
"What are you even talking about?!" LJ demanded.
The group watched as Kakyuu and the Sailor Starlights had a private conversations, away from the group.
Rick looked on in worry. He wondered what all this would mean. What exactly would they tell him? He tensed, looking at the group.
-Sailor-Moon-Defenders-
Kakyuu looked at the Starlights. What Rick has was a troubling sign and the powers he had
"We must tell them." Kakyuu told her Starlights.
"I know." Seiya replied. "I just wonder how they are going to handle what we're going to handle this."
"There's no telling." Taiki looked down for a moment.
"There's no mistake about it." Yaten stated. "That power the boy has is what Galaxia is after. She knows it will allow her to obtain our star seeds faster."
"We will need to ask them some questions first." Kakyuu nodded in agreement.
-Sailor-Moon-Defenders-
Rick stared on as he and the others saw Kakyuu and the Starlights talking quietly among themselves. He sighed nervously and then he looked as Jedda gave him a gentle touch.
"Everything will be fine, Rick." she assured him. "No matter what happens."
He gave a small smile, wanting to believe her fully but something about this situation felt different.
"Those guys sure keep to themselves." April crossed her arms. "They're not making sense right now."
"Sense!" Chibi Chibi exclaimed with glee.
April looked down at the girl in annoyance. "Not now!"
"Not now!"
Rick gave out a small chuckle. Flash gently touched his daughter's shoulders. "Just ignore her, honey."
"Honey!" Chibi Chibi chimed. Flash then gave out a chuckle in response.
Kakyuu and the Starlights finally faced the group again, causing them to become quiet.
"Defenders of the Earth," Kakyuu asked, "have you ever visited the place called the Hall of Wisdom?"
This question caught all of the Defenders by surprise. Almost all the Sailor Guardians looked rather confused. Rick could tell the majority of them were dense of what the place was.
"The Hall of what?" Minako asked, confused.
"The Hall of Wisdom." Flash answered. "It's the biggest storehouse of knowledge in the universe which comes to the galaxy here for one day every two thousand years and we had the chance to visit it."
"That is correct, Flash Gordon." Kakyuu replied. "What you, the Defenders of the Earth, did not know was after your fateful visit, you were being watched."
"Being watched?" Jedda stepped back in surprise.
"By who?" LJ asked.
"The last of the Kinmokus." Kakyuu explained. "While most of our people have been wiped out by Galaxia, the few that were not at the planet before Galaxia wiped it out, they remained. They were disguised as stars to watch over the Defenders of the Earth as it was believed we would finally meet."
"So what you're saying is your people have a connection to the Hall of Wisdom?" Mandrake asked.
"Essentially." Kakyuu nodded before she explained further. "Besides myself and the Starlights, there are a few of my people and we have an alliance with the planet in which the Quasar Weapon originated from: the planet Quasar as well as being protectors to the Hall of Wisdom itself."
She looked around the area. "When you started being watched after that day, we knew about all of your exploits. Your missions. The year and six months where Queen Hadea ruled the galaxy, the Book of Mysteries, exploits on Mongo, battles with Ming, Dr. Damian Dark, Prince Krotan and the Necklace of Oros."
"I think we get the idea." Flash stated.
Rick was startled when Kakyuu suddenly faced him. "This is where we come to Rick Gordon's situation."
"My situation?" he slightly trembled.
Kakyuu took a deep breath before speaking up. "You saw how it vaporized the one known as Sailor Iron Mouse. Galaxia is after that power as she sees it as an easier way to obtain the remaining Sailor Crystals here on this planet.
An expression of shock swept over Rick. "No! I don't want that. I don't want to harm my friends, let alone the Sailor Guardians, who I've come to like."
"All this is provided you survive." Seiya stated.
"Fighter!" Kakyuu exclaimed, having him to remain quiet.
"What are you talking about?" Rick asked as a part of him didn't want to know. "Am I going to die?"
"That is one of the options that might happen to you." Kakyuu explained. "Your body currently has a lot of magical radiation as Quasanite blood runs through you and you will not be able to tolerate it."
Rick quivered, avoiding eye contact for a moment before looking back at the princess, trying to keep himself together.
"Another option that might happen to you is considered a fate worse than death." Kakyuu stated. "You could lose a bit of your humanity every time you use any of your powers therefore it would slowly transform you into a monster as you saw in your dream like premonition."
"No!" Rick trembled with fright. "I don't believe it!"
Kakyuu and the Starlights looked at him calmly. The Sailor Guardians and the other Defenders looked surprised by this revelation.
Rick felt tears starting to form in his eyes. "I'm still human. I have to be."
"You are human right now." Kakyuu nodded. "Chances are that will not be the case."
"No!" Rick cried out. "This can't be. I can't leave Jedda and the kids like this!"
He buried his head with his hands.
-Sailor-Moon-Defenders-
Flash was shaking. He couldn't believe it. He always knew that death was one of the risks in the battles against Ming but for Rick to go through this terrible fate was just something he couldn't comprehend. It was bad enough when Ming killed his wife, with Rick watching nonetheless but for his son going through. He couldn't help but to wonder why he was going through this in the first place.
He looked around as he saw his son trembling in shock while Jedda was comforting him. The other Defenders and the Sailor Guardians were all in shock from this revelation.
"There is currently a third option." Kakyuu spoke up. She took a deep breath before continuing. "An antidote had just been created. It can be administered in case the mutations reach the point where Rick does become a monster."
"We'll take the third option!" Flash was quick to exclaim. He was determined to do all that he could to save his son.
"There is a catch to that option." Kakyuu calmly replied. "When the antidote is administered to your son, it will change him completely into a member of the Quasar race known as a Quasanite."
"What's a Quasanite?" Hotaru asked.
"The Quasanites are a race of humanoids residing at the planet Quasar, which is a planet that had an alliance with our planet and they were known for seeking peace." Kakyuu answered.
-Sailor-Moon-Defenders-
Rick fidgeted a bit, taking all of this in. Even with the options in play, things will surely never be the same again in his life. That fact was for sure.
"Rick," Seiya asked as he faced him, "can you explain to us what happened to you when your team visited the Hall of Wisdom?"
He fidgeted again in response.
"You have to tell us." Taiki insisted. "This is crucial!"
"Now wait just a minute!" Ami interjected, stepping a step forward. "This might be something hard for him to remember, simply because it's a scary memory or something!"
"It's okay, Ami." Rick replied. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, reflecting on the day the Defenders visited the Hall of Wisdom. "Ming's forces were attacking us. Jedda couldn't get her jet to respond when we were trying to hide, avoiding being hit by Ming's robo ships after Dad told us to take cover."
Rick could remember flying to where Jedda was to make sure that she was safe as he wasn't going to let her die. Not if he could help it.
He heard her shout. "Rick, no!"
Then mere seconds later, he felt the blaze of the lasers of the robo ship that shot him. He saw blood oozing from his chest. He tried calling out for Jedda but his sounds only came out as a grunt. He tried to move but found his efforts to be useless. He found himself blacking out and knew he wasn't falling asleep.
"From what I was told after our trip," Rick explained, "I was killed in that attack. It was a bit of a surprise but I figured that was what I was going through that day."
He could remember feeling himself floating upwards. He looked down to see his father, Jedda, LJ and the Phantom being carried by a mysterious bubble along with his lifeless body.
Then he looked to see a mysterious white light. He couldn't believe it. Was this it for him? After all that, we wouldn't be able to avenge his mother. Not only that, he didn't want to leave those he loved. His father. His sister. Jedda. He also thought of the rest of his teammates and didn't want to leave them as well. What was going to happen to them after he was gone?
He looked on as he got closer to the light as he was certain it would take him to the other side. He couldn't help but to wonder what Heaven was going to be like. Was it going to be peaceful as he had heard? It probably was because he was starting to feel a calming presence.
The next thing Rick knew, he was being pulled back. What was this all about? He found himself surrounded by mysterious white energy as he was being pulled back. Moments later, he found himself moving around in his body as well as breathing and coughing.
He could also hear Jedda cry out. "He's alive! Rick's alive!"
At first, everything felt fuzzy. Then he woke up finding himself in a strange looking room. He assumed it was somewhere in the Hall of Wisdom. He also found himself laying on what appeared to be some sort of table.
"What… happened?" Rick mumbled as he looked down to see that his wound was healed, albeit his shirt and jacket were still stained with blood.
He looked to see his father and could tell he had cried at some point between his death and rebirth. "Son, are you all right?"
Rick took a deep breath as he faced the group. "I was surely dead for some time as LJ and even the guy who revived me, Jarbon, all welcomed me back."
He chuckled. "Even Kisa was wagging her tail, happy to see me."
"Did you come in contact with the Quasar weapon?" Kakyuu asked.
"Yes." Rick nodded. "The Phantom handed it to me to keep it out of Ming's hands once he made his way to the Hall of Wisdom."
He took a deep breath, reflecting on the power of the Quasar weapon. "The power was intoxicating."
"It was the same time the Hall of Wisdom had Rick and I kept as exhibits of Earthlings at the Hall of Wisdom's zoo." Jedda added. "I had to snap him out of it because I feared that he would become like Ming with that power. I felt he was acting like Ming in a way but I thought it was just coincidence."
"So did I." Rick shook, trying to shake off the memory.
"I am afraid in your case, Rick Gordon," Kakyuu replied, "it is far from coincidence."
"I also came into contact with the Quasar Weapon." the Phantom spoke up.
"You did not have the same experience in which Rick did, Phantom." Kakyuu glanced at him.
Rick couldn't help but to think that was true. The Phantom didn't die that day which was why he wasn't affected the radiation coming the Hall of Wisdom and the Quasar Weapon.
"That makes sense." Makoto couldn't help but to speak up.
"So what do we do now?" Rei asked.
"While protecting the Necklace of Oros," Kakyuu answered, "we must also protect Rick Gordon and his new powers from falling into evil hands. If Galaxia was able to send one of her evil Sailor Guardians after you, there's no telling who or what else she could send."
Author's Note: This is one of the biggest chapters I've done since starting this story. I've been trying to get a good grasp on third-person point of view as I'm aware it may not be up in par yet. I apologize for that.
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Chapters
Volume One
Using the power of the Necklace of Oros, Queen Hadea conquers the galaxy. The Defenders seek help from a group called the Sailor Guardians.
Rei notices the effects of battle on Usagi. Meanwhile, both teams make desperate efforts to end the clash. The Sailors approach Hadea's temple, and Flash's daughter returns to lend her aid.
Each side becomes more powerful.
Issues in Jedda's past and present lead to a monumental decision.
Princess Jedda begins embracing Hadea's cause. Ami and Rick continue to bond.
Members of the Sailor Outer Senshi join the battle. Princess Jedda is faced with a decision as a ruler. Later, she explores a startling possibility.
Now divided, the teams fend attacks off while struggling to reach Hadea.
As Rick and the princess finally reunite, a climactic showdown with Hadea begins.
The Guardians and Defenders continue their clash against the queen.
In the aftermath, revelations emerge and choices are made.
Volume Two
The younger team members begin adjusting to the changes. Others strive to fit back into normal society.
As his companions reflect, Mandrake begins to sense a mystical disturbance.
Mandrake is reacquainted with a major figure in his life.
Ming returns.
The group scrambles to counter Ming, who is aided by Krotan.
16: The First Abductions: LJ and Mars
Once again, Krotan makes his move on Jedda.
17: Closure For Rick and Mercury
The groups scurry to save their friends. Ami and Rick have a personal discussion.
As Minako and Jedda connect, Krotan continues closing in on members of the group.
Krotan has an enticing proposition.
The Defenders and Guardians make their stand against Krotan.
Volume Three
Rick's dreams signal a great change in his life. Mysterious figures begin moving behind the scenes.
Rei and Rick sense more darkness on the horizon.
Ming and Galaxia engage in discussions.
An unexpected battle occurs at a concert.
Rick considers the effects of his transformation.
The team has a confrontation with a group knows as the Three Lights.
Rick's abilities make him a target.
As Rick continues healing, the Sailors assess the situation with the Starlights.
Rick is targeted by the Sailor Animamates.
The team searches for Rick, along with information on their new opponents.
Volume Four
As the struggle against Galaxia continues, Hadea and Jedda discuss the Netherworld's future. Meanwhile, Usagi's power grows.
Cathleen initiates her effort to control Rick.
The team manages to locate Rick and his manipulator.
Rick frets over his mutation while others seek to reverse it.
The Sailors and their allies face a new threat in Tin Nyanko.
Nyanko becomes the latest to seek Rick's power.
As Rick's humanity begins slipping away, his friends continue their quest to cure him.
Rick runs amok, and a massive battle against Nyanko begins.
The Sailors make a stunning discovery.
Jedda and Rick take a huge step forward.
Volume Five
Rick and Jedda begin their new lives.
A girl arrives to meet Mandrake.
The group begins getting to know the newcomer.
Rick is visited by a servant who gives him access to valuable information.
Amy's special abilities are revealed.
Rick learns more about his power, and how it might relate to the current events. Hadea attempts to console him later.
The group endeavors to rescue Mamoru from a mystical prison.
Usagi and her friends confront Mamoru's captor.
The battle in the dream realm reaches a conclusion.
The aftermath of the dream clash brings several people closer.
Volume Six
Rick senses that the Netherworld could face an imminent attack.
The groups begin learning more about the Kings.
Hadea and her companions take preemptive measures against Zorelda.
Hadea and Phantom explore their bond, as do several others throughout the day. First appearance of Tori Gordon.
Rick and Jedda work to resolve recent issues. Minako explores life in the Netherworld.
Ming reenters the fray as the Kings converse with Zorelda.
The groups decide that it's time for the confrontation.
The Guardians and Defenders engage the Kings in the Netherworld.
The Kings begin to realize the truth.
With Zorelda seemingly thwarted, the groups begin moving on. A woman named Rachel arrives at Monitor.
Everyone begins learning more about Rachel.
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