S32
Sailor Moon Defenders
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Thirty-Two: Cathleen's Deception
Rick woke up in his bed. He was startled to see that his bedroom was darker than it usually was. Nighttime already?
He looked up as he heard a noise. Immediately, he recognized it. "Dad?"
Rick walked nearby to see Flash and Sheila holding each other in a loving embrace, albeit in silhouettes.
"Wait, isn't your son still awake?" Sheila asked.
"Heh." Flash scoffed in his answer. "The boy with powers? He's no son of mine. Not anymore. I only have one child and that's April. That boy means nothing to me now."
Rick couldn't believe what he was hearing. It appeared as if his own father didn't love him anymore, all because he had these Quasanite powers. It wasn't like he asked for these powers in the first place. He felt hot tears fall down his face.
"Dad, no." he tearfully choked out.
He looked into a mirror and saw himself when he was twelve years old. "Isn't that me?"
He then saw a 13-year-old April, preparing to leave for the space academy.
"Please April," Rick pleaded, "do you really have to leave?"
"Yes, of course." April answered. "I have to hone my skills and do what it takes to make it to the top."
She then proceeded to walk away. "Goodbye now."
"April!" Rick called out. "Please, don't go!"
He opened his eyes, finding himself back in his mature form. He shook, trying to pull himself together. "I'm really losing it here. Gotta pull myself together."
Suddenly, he heard a giggle. Then he looked to see Jedda wearing a gown and tiara next to Hadea. "Jedda?"
"I never wanted to be a Defender." Jedda told Hadea. "I didn't want to live in a city either. I'm so happy with you, Mother. You have made all my dreams come true. I don't need anything else in life."
Suddenly, Rick felt hands being wrapped around his body and gasped.
-Sailor-Moon-Defenders-
Cathleen could tell that her plan was working and was starting to be put in full circle. She had been giving Rick these thoughts for some time since she had joined the team before anyone even knew of his powers. She was worried at first as Rick seemed to be resistant of her power. She could sense that he wouldn't give in without a fight. There we go, dear boy. I shall devour your love and change it into hate. Then, I shall send you after the other Defenders as well as the Sailor Guardians.
She could sense Rick was starting to give in to her power. The more he fell under her power, the darker he was becoming. Soon, his thoughts were changing from loyalties to his team and allies and his love for Jedda to the depths of the darkness of hate.
"Good." Cathleen smirked in satisfaction. "Everything is going as I have hoped. Rick Gordon is under my control."
-Sailor-Moon-Defenders-
Kakyuu gasped, sensing something unsettling.
"What's the matter, princess?" Yaten asked. She stood up, facing the Starlights, who looked at her with confusion.
"Someone is using Rick Gordon for his powers." Kakyuu answered. "I can sense his powers are being used. If this happens, the mutations will happen faster than we expect them to."
"That woman that tried to bother Rick while he was recovering from his coma!" Seiya exclaimed.
"Who?"
"I think she is Cathleen O' Connor." Seiya looked up. "I had a feeling she would try something again."
"This time she succeeded in this case." Taiki replied.
"We need to deal with her and help Rick." Yaten told the others.
"Exactly." Kakyuu replied. "You must hurry."
-Sailor-Moon-Defenders-
Mandrake leaned back at his seat, startled by something.
"Mandrake, what's the matter?" Lothar asked.
"Something sinister?" Setsuna added.
Haruka and Michiru looked up as well, anticipating on what their friend had to say.
"I sense it." Mandrake answered. "Cathleen."
"Cathleen?" Setsuna looked on.
"Yes," Mandrake stated, "I left her alone with Rick. How stupid of me?! Now she has used her powers on Rick to manipulate him!"
"Rick's in trouble?" Hotaru asked as she put down her sandwich.
"Exactly. We need to head back at once!" Mandrake looked up before calling for a nearby waitress. "Check please!"
-Sailor-Moon-Defenders-
Rick's eyes slowly opened. Slowly, he looked up to see Cathleen.
"Hello Rick." Cathleen smiled at him.
"Cathleen."
"How are you doing?" Cathleen asked.
"I… I wish I knew." Rick answered. He kept thinking about his dream he just had. "I saw my Dad. He was with Sheila and he told her he didn't love me anymore because of my powers."
"What else did you see?"
"I saw Jedda happy with Hadea, convinced she didn't need anything else and I also remember a memory of April leaving for the academy years ago."
He looked down, putting his head in his hands. He felt a gentle touch of Cathleen's hand.
"You poor dear," Cathleen spoke gently to him, "I'm afraid what you saw is true."
Rick felt the depression sink in hard. He had never felt so alone in his entire life and he was feeling anguish and anger at the same time.
"Rick, you may feel alone," Rick looked up as he faced Cathleen as she was talking to him, "but you should know that I'm here for you and I can help you with your powers."
He was convinced that she was serious in wanting to help him with his powers. His father had turned from him and his sister couldn't care less unless she was at the top. As for Jedda, he wasn't sure how loyal she was to him now.
"Okay." Rick nodded.
"Good." Cathleen gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Head to my room and we can talk about matters further."
"Of course."
-Sailor-Moon-Defenders-
Cathleen noticed Rick's eyes had turned a vicious red before he left the room. She wasn't sure if that was because of her control over him or if it had something to do with his mutations. She also noticed his skin color wasn't quite normal. Rather than his normal color, his skin had become a beige like color. She knew somehow that was a part of his transformation that the team had heard of.
"Cathleen!" she heard Mandrake shout from outside the room.
Cathleen turned around and slowly stepped out of the room. It didn't take long for her stepping into the hallway before Mandrake and Lothar approached her. Setsuna, Haruka and Michiru followed suit, all powered up. She only glared at them at first.
"You don't need to act innocent here." Mandrake sternly spoke to her. "I could sense that you used your powers. You've been doing this for some time since you've been on the team, haven't you?"
"And what if I did?" Cathleen retorted.
"Enough games, Cathleen!" Lothar shouted.
"You've fed Rick lies and it appears you've been doing this for some time." Mandrake pointed his finger at her.
Cathleen looked down, as she realized the jig was up.
"You best to tell the truth, Cathleen." Setsuna spoke up. "Mandrake knows very well about your Enchantress powers as he explained to us on the way back here."
"You're right, Mandrake." Cathleen smirked. "I have been giving Rick these thoughts for some time. It started shortly after our encounter with Prince Krotan of Mongo. I had no idea that he had…"
She glanced over at Haruka, who cleared her throat. "Well, I have actually."
"You knew Rick had powers?" Michiru asked. "Is that what you're implying?"
"Not exactly." Cathleen explained. "There was something extraordinary within the boy that I was sensing after the Krotan encounter. I started feeding him doubts about his own family and his loved ones as well as feeding him doubts and insecurities in the process."
" Exactly what I've been sensing this whole time!" Setsuna exclaimed.
"So that's her?" another voice asked. Everyone looked to see Seiya, Yaten and Taiki arrive at the scene in their sailor suits.
"Yes, it's her." Seiya answered.
"You guys knew about this too?" Mandrake asked.
"What all do you know?" Haruka demanded.
"She tried to pull something on Rick earlier." Seiya answered. "I was able to stop her before she could do anything to him or to Jedda."
"And you can see, you weren't able to stop me this time." Cathleen chuckled.
"You have no idea what you've done!" Yaten exclaimed in anger. "Our princess told us she sensed his powers was being used by you!"
"Rick could be slowly losing his humanity, mutating into a monster right now all because of you!" Taiki added.
Cathleen couldn't help but to think of Rick's red eyes and beige like skin that she saw him. So that was the mutations those Sailor Starlights were talking about, or at least the start of it.
-Sailor-Moon-Defenders-
Mandrake was shocked upon hearing all this. He couldn't believe everything that was going on. Cathleen was using Rick, a normally level headed boy who cared about his loved ones. She manipulated him for her selfish gain and now, if the Starlights were right, Rick could possibly be losing his humanity because of this.
He looked at the shocked expressions of Haruka, Michiru and Setsuna. They hurried away as he assumed that they were going to look for Rick.
"Cathleen, what have you done?!" Lothar exclaimed in anger. She only stared in response.
"If what the Sailor Starlights are saying is true, then you are the one causing his mutations to make faster progression!" Mandrake exclaimed in a stern but calm tone.
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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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