S52
Sailor Moon Defenders
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Fifty-Two: Rumors and Plans
Jedda was startled by a knock on the door. "Who is it?" she asked.
"It is I, Highness."
"Enter."
The door opened and a pale-skinned guard appeared. "Empress Hadea wishes to see you, Majesty."
Jedda turned to Rick in surprise.
He tensed a little as a thought came to him. "Do you think she knows about my premonition?"
"If Mother knows," Jedda answered, "she has her own sources."
"Of course," Rick affirmed
Jedda turned towards the guard and adjusted her robe. "Tell her we are on our way."
-Sailor-Moon-Defenders-
Rick studied Jedda as she eased on the throne, dressed in her usual gown and tiara.
Moments later, Hadea arrived with a pair of guards in tow. Rick was amazed with the golden attire that she was wearing.
"What brings you here, Mother?" Jedda asked.
"There is a situation that had come to my attention." Hadea answered. "Rumors have been going around that Zorelda has returned."
Rick paused in surprise. He couldn't help but notice how his dreams seem to match the current events going on. He looked over at Hadea, who was eyeing him as if she had a feeling that he had some sort of vision in connection to the rumors.
"Rick said that he has been having dreams about Zorelda," Jedda relayed, "so this is possibly more than a rumor."
"That's what I was afraid of." Hadea scowled before she continued. "I know that she will target people whom I hold dear."
Rick tensed a bit, knowing that Jedda was someone whom Hadea held dear. He took a deep breath and couldn't help but wonder if the Phantom was in any danger as well. "We will have to do what we can to keep Jedda safe but what about the Phantom? Is he in any danger?"
"It is possible that the Phantom will be another target," Hadea answered. "Zorelda knows I want the Phantom as my mate."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
"So what will we do about my father?" Jedda asked.
"Given how your father feels about me right now, he may not like the idea but he will have to stay here," Hadea answered, "at least for today."
"There needs to be something that I can do to help out," Rick insisted as he stepped forward. "I love Jedda very much and the kids have to be safe too as they aren't born yet."
There was another pause of silence as Hadea glanced over at him. He appeared to be tense as if the Empress was trying to think of something.
"Well?" Rick spoke up, breaking the silence.
"There is something," Hadea explained. "In the control room, there is what you humans call Internet but here in the Netherworld, it is called the Nethernet. It has been needing to be fixed for some time now. It can be of good use in being able to track down Zorelda."
"I shall get to work on that." Rick nodded.
"Rick, are you sure?" Jedda asked. She stirred as though she'd just asked a stupid question.
"I'm a thousand percent sure," Rick answered with an assuring smile as he gently touched her stomach. "You and our kids have to be safe and Zorelda… if she gets her hands on the Necklace of Oros, she could be too powerful for us to stop."
"That's true." Jedda nodded in agreement, holding Rick in a loving embrace. "I know how she can be as I encountered her on Mongo, but what about your powers? Couldn't they…"
"I don't know if I want to risk it given how dangerous it can be." Rick glanced around for a moment before looking back at Jedda.
"If it comes down to it Rick," Hadea spoke up, "you may need to use your powers."
Rick couldn't help but to think that she was right. He didn't want to use the powers for a long time unless he absolutely had to. With this threat of Zorelda possibly happening, he may have to use his powers. He wished it didn't have to be so soon though. He sighed before looking back at Jedda.
"We all have encountered Zorelda." Rick said before he stopped himself before saying. "Well, I had to be with Kshin to help him and those Zuffoids outside the city to take him home in case something happened to the rest of you guys battling Suramog but I only know what you told me about her. If she's as dangerous as you say she is, then we will have to get the Nethernet working."
"Mother," Jedda told Hadea as she was preparing to leave, "I will inform the Defenders and the Sailor Guardians right away."
"Good." Hadea nodded before giving her a kiss on the forehead.
-Sailor-Moon-Defenders-
Hadea made her walk back to her throne room. She was grateful Rick was on his way to working on the Nethernet. She was fortunate to have him here, as Jedda mentioned that he was genius and was an expert at computers. As far as that situation was concerned, things would be just fine. She wondered how far that would take them and the Netherworld. Besides Jedda and the Phantom, there was one other person that Hadea held dear and it was someone Jedda mentioned she had some bonding time with the Sailor Guardian, Minako shortly after her reign on the galaxy ended.
She stepped out of the hovercraft and walked to her throne room. Then she walked to her throne and took a seat.
Hadea leaned back and looked up at the ceiling, stroking an arm. She couldn't stop thinking of the child, even on her way back here.
Besides possessing great mystical power, Hadea had brilliant technology. It let her see into outer space. It showed all countries throughout the world. And it revealed who her enemies were.
When she had ruled over the galaxy, her scouts researched the Sailor team — the group's exploits and identies. She had only gotten a few at first, the Inner Guardians in particular: Usagi seemed very peculiar at times; Ami was gentle, perhaps to a fault; Rei appeared to be the opposite; Makoto was strong, but not a leader.
Then there was this fifth girl who'd join their group, the girl who'd stood on her own at first. This child appeared both kind and bold. Hadea had grown curious about her.
-Sailor-Moon-Defenders-
"Are your serious, Rei?" Minako asked in surprise. "We all knew that Zorelda would return eventually but the Four Heavenly Kings?! They were killed during our first battles."
"I am most certain, Minako." Rei answered calmly. "My visions are never wrong and you should know that."
Minako looked to see most of the other Sailor Guardians and the Defenders in the control room.
"Mind if we ask you this," Mandrake asked, "but who are these Four Heavenly Kings that you speak of?"
"Yeah." April added. "Let us all in on it."
"The Four Heavenly Kings were loyal and faithful generals and bodyguards of Prince Endymion in the past life." Minako proceeded to explain. "However, they ended up becoming possessed by Metalia's vast negative energy which caused them to become evil and serve the evil Queen Beryl. They never regained their memories sadly unlike Usagi and the rest of us."
"The Outers and myself haven't met these Four Heavenly Kings." Setsuna spoke up. "We were at our posts during the time at the Silver Millennium's destruction."
"Especially me as I played my role in the destruction of the Silver Millennium." Hotaru added.
"Usagi, Ami and I never really known what happened to Jadeite after we eventually defeated him first." Rei stated. "I assumed he was destroyed, possibly by Beryl."
"Then Nephrite was killed by Youma when he was protecting Naru." Ami added.
"After we found out that Usagi was the true Princess of the moon," Makoto said, "Zoisite was destroyed, most likely by Beryl."
"Then Usagi destroyed Kunzite during a major battle." Minako concluded.
"If the Four Heavenly Kings are returning the same time as Zorelda," Michiru stated, "then chances are Zorelda might have found the stones they were named after and used them to revive them."
"That is possible." Haruka replied. "We will have to head to the Netherworld to help Hadea, Rick and Jedda. The Necklace of Oros might be at risk too."
"There's just one problem." Lothar spoke up. "Kshin is grounded and Mamoru is sick in his room. Who's going to watch over them?"
"Haruka, Michiru and I talked about that before we were summoned to this meeting." Setsuna spoke up. "I will stay behind to watch over the mansion and our prince."
"As will Hotaru and Amy." Haruka added. Hotaru groaned in response.
"No arguments." Michiru replied.
"Now hold on a minute." Mandrake stepped forward. "Just because they're young, doesn't mean those two can't attend this mission."
"Yeah." Makoto nodded in agreement. "Amy could be of good use in fighting Zorelda."
Amy looked around nervously as the others can tell she was nervous about facing this opponent, who was new to her.
"That's not really why I want to bring them along, well Amy anyway." Mandrake said, adjusting his hat some. "I told her I would let her see Rick and Jedda and this would be a good opportunity for her to meet them."
"And Hotaru can be useful in battle as well." Flash stated. "As long as she doesn't use an attack which could mean the end of the world."
"I'll try my best not to." Hotaru promised.
"Then I guess we're settled then." Michiru stated.
"There is a situation that had come to my attention," Hadea answered. "Rumors have been going around that Zorelda has returned."
Rick paused in surprise. He couldn't help but notice how his dreams seem to match the current events going on. He looked over at Hadea, who was eyeing him as if she had a feeling that he had some sort of vision in connection to the rumors.
"Rick said that he has been having dreams about Zorelda," Jedda relayed, "so this is possibly more than a rumor."
"That's what I was afraid of." Hadea scowled before she continued. "I know that she will target people whom I hold dear."
This is what Volume Six is going to bring in for us besides the return of the Four Heavenly Kings. While Rick has his dream powers, Hadea has her own sources which makes her aware of what could possibly happen soon for her kingdom.
Rick tensed a bit, knowing that Jedda was someone whom Hadea held dear. He took a deep breath and couldn't help but wonder if the Phantom was in any danger as well. "We will have to do what we can to keep Jedda safe but what about the Phantom? Is he in any danger?"
"It is possible that the Phantom will be another target," Hadea answered. "Zorelda knows I want the Phantom as my mate."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
"So what will we do about my father?" Jedda asked as they both glanced back at Hadea.
"Given how your father feels about me right now, he may not like the idea but he will have to stay here," Hadea answered, "at least for today."
We all know that Jedda and Minako are those Hadea holds dear and that Zorelda might go after them. However, even though the feelings are not yet mutual, the Phantom is someone that Hadea also holds dear. I think this volume should start the beginning of this relationship that I am also fond of besides Rick and Jedda.
"There needs to be something that I can do to help out," Rick insisted as he stepped forward. "I love Jedda very much and the kids have to be safe too as they aren't born yet."
There was another pause of silence as Hadea glanced over at him. He appeared to be tense as if the Empress was trying to think of something.
"Well?" Rick spoke up, breaking the silence.
"There is something," Hadea explained. "In the control room, there is what you humans call Internet but here in the Netherworld, it is called the Nethernet. It has been needing to be fixed for some time now. It can be of good use in being able to track down Zorelda."
"I shall get to work on that." Rick nodded.
"Rick, are you sure?" Jedda asked. She glanced as if she just asked a stupid question.
"I'm a thousand percent sure." Rick answered with an assuring smile as he gently touched her stomach. "You and our kids have to be safe and Zorelda… if she gets her hands on the Necklace of Oros, she could be too powerful for us to stop."
I think it's a good idea to keep it persistent that Rick wants to help make the Netherworld a better world for the citizens there to live in. It will be a little stalled because of a certain someone that we will get to later in this volume but it won't stop him, that's for sure.
"That's true." Jedda nodded in agreement, holding Rick in a loving embrace. "I know how she can be as I encountered her on Mongo, but what about your powers? Couldn't they…"
"I don't know if I want to risk it given how dangerous it can be." Rick glanced around for a moment before looking back at Jedda.
"If it comes down to it Rick," Hadea spoke up, "you may need to use your powers."
Rick couldn't help but to think that she was right. He didn't want to use the powers for a long time unless he absolutely had to. With this threat of Zorelda possibly happening, he may have to use his powers. He wished it didn't have to be so soon though.
I can see Rick being reluctant to use his powers even though a threat like Zorelda is coming. However, if it comes down to it, he might have to use his powers to keep his friends and loved ones safe. Hadea has a point there.
"We all have encountered Zorelda." Rick said before he stopped himself before saying. "Well, I had to be with Kshin to help him and those Zuffoids outside the city to take him home in case something happened to the rest of you guys battling Suramog but I only know what you told me about her. If she's as dangerous as you say she is, then we will have to get the Nethernet working."
Yeah. All of the Defenders have encountered Zorelda as you remember back in chapter two. I can see Jedda giving Rick and possibly LJ and her father as well as the rest of the team details on what Zorelda is like. Also, there's a couple of mentions from "The Prince Dethroned".
Hadea leaned back and looked up at the ceiling, stroking an arm. She couldn't stop thinking of the child, even on her way back here.
Besides possessing great mystical power, Hadea had brilliant technology. It let her see into outer space. It showed all countries throughout the world. And it revealed who her enemies were.
When she had ruled over the galaxy, her scouts researched the Sailor team - the group's exploits and identies. She had only gotten a few at first, the Inner Guardians in particular: Usagi seemed very peculiar at times; Ami was gentle, perhaps to a fault; Rei appeared to be the opposite; Makoto was strong, but not a leader.
Then there was this fifth girl who'd join their group, the girl who'd stood on her own at first. This child appeared both kind and bold. Hadea had grown curious about her.
This is the first of the handful of scenes that James had written for this volume. Unlike the other scenes, this one was written back in volume one but I made some changes to have it fit in with the current volume and this scene was also featured in my short story Sailor Moon Defenders: Alternate Scenario, regarding Minako and Jedda.
"Are your serious, Rei?" Minako asked in surprise. "We all knew that Zorelda would return eventually but the Four Heavenly Kings?! They were killed during our first battles."
" I am most certain, Minako." Rei answered calmly. "My visions are never wrong and you should know that."
Minako looked to see most of the other Sailor Guardians and the Defenders in the control room.
"Mind if we ask you this," Mandrake asked, "but who are these Four Heavenly Kings that you speak of?"
"Yeah." April added. "Let us all in on it."
I can see the others outside of Rei Hino being a little skeptic about the Four Heavenly Kings returning but it will happen as her visions are never wrong. As the Outer Guardians and the Defenders of the Earth have never met them before, they would want to know about them, especially the latter group as I'm sure the Outers are aware of them.
"The Four Heavenly Kings were loyal and faithful generals and bodyguards of Prince Endymion in the past life." Minako proceeded to explain. "However, they ended up becoming possessed by Metalia's vast negative energy which caused them to become evil and serve the evil Queen Beryl. They never regained their memories sadly unlike Usagi and the rest of us."
As the leader of the Sailor Guardians, I could see Minako starting off the story about the Four Heavenly Kings.
"Usagi, Ami and I never really known what happened to Jadeite after we eventually defeated him first." Rei stated. "I assumed he was destroyed, possibly by Beryl."
"Then Nephrite was killed by Youma when he was protecting Naru." Ami added.
"After we found out that Usagi was the true Princess of the moon," Makoto said, "Zoisite was destroyed, most likely by Beryl."
"Then Usagi destroyed Kunzite during a major battle." Minako concluded.
Another example of a mish mash of anime and manga as we see the original fates of the Four Heavenly Kings revealed by the Inners. I could picture modern like flashbacks of the scenes of their fates when they mention them as well.
"If the Four Heavenly Kings are returning the same time as Zorelda," Michiru stated, "then chances are Zorelda might have found the stones they were named after and used them to revive them."
"That is possible." Haruka replied. "We will have to head to the Netherworld to help Hadea, Rick and Jedda. The Necklace of Oros might be at risk too."
This is a perfect indication of how the Four Heavenly Kings could be revived. Even in her weak form, she can still do magic spells.
"Haruka, Michiru and I talked about that before we were summoned to this meeting." Setsuna spoke up. "I will stay behind to watch over the mansion and our prince."
"As will Hotaru and Amy." Haruka added. Hotaru groaned in response.
"No arguments." Michiru replied.
"Now hold on a minute." Mandrake stepped forward. "Just because they're young, doesn't mean those two can't attend this mission."
"Yeah." Makoto nodded in agreement. "Amy could be of good use in fighting Zorelda."
Amy looked around nervously as the others can tell she was nervous about facing this opponent, who was new to her.
"That's not really why I want to bring them along, well Amy anyway." Mandrake said, adjusting his hat some. "I told her I would let her see Rick and Jedda and this would be a good opportunity for her to meet them."
"And Hotaru can be useful in battle as well." Flash stated. "As long as she doesn't use an attack which could mean the end of the world."
"I'll try my best not to." Hotaru promised.
"Then I guess we're settled then." Michiru stated.
With Kshin grounded for breaking the Defenders code and being suspended from school and Mamoru sick with the flu, it's a matter of who stays and who goes on this mission. I wanted Amy and Hotaru to take part of this volume despite their ages and Setsuna being sidelined. So there you have it.
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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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