W3
Defenders: Sailor Moon
By James
Chapter Three: Another House Divided
"She's out of her mind..."
Minako gawked from the top of her castle, perched in a room just beneath the roof. Her eyes were locked on the field below, a huge plain covered with stark-white grass. Hundreds of men were approaching her home — hundreds of soldiers from Jedda's land. They wore the armor. They waved the flag.
"That girl is totally out of her mind." Minako was stunned — but she was prepared. She and her closest advisor were ready. They'd seen the troops coming well before they arrived, and readied defense forces of their own. She'd hoped that there wouldn't be a battle, though. Seeking to quell any armed conflict, she'd tried reaching Jedda via numerous calls, wanting to know why her men were marching. Jedda never bothered to answer her.
The robed woman standing on her right leaned forth. "Our soldiers are awaiting your order, Highness."
Minako paused, closing her eyes. Then she opened them and cupped her hands at her back. "Send them to the field. Weapons set to stun."
The drawbridge lowered with a mighty thud, sending wide ripples through the moat below. White birds scurried amid the sound, each looking wary of what was to come.
Donned in gold armor, wielding long staffs, Minako's troopers marched out to the field, matching Jedda's numbers in a matter of minutes. The kingdom's protector's carried laser axes — tall weapons headed by glittering blades. Many of them sported hand blasters too.
Jedda's men halted several yards away. Their weapons were similar to Minako's troops'.
Minako twitched as she studied the grounds. She'd seen several battles, but none like this. People were out there in her defense. She didn't like the thought of them getting hurt. But all the men insisted that she let them fight; they couldn't start relying on Minako's power. What if she lost it, like Jedda had? Rather than counting on a mystical necklace, soldiers had to bank on their natural skills. That was what the knights had explained to her.
The enemies parted. Their leader appeared — a bulky trooper in silver plates. "We're here for the Necklace of Oros," he said. "Hand it over, and there'll be no strife."
A man from Minako's side walked up. "The necklace belongs to our queen," he uttered. "She will return it when the time is right."
Minako heard several other words. She lost her focus amid the exchange. Not long ago, she'd told Jedda that she was keeping the necklace, at least for the time being anyway. That declaration left Jedda upset, but Jedda never hinted that she'd launch at assault. What, exactly, had prompted this?
The sound of battle brought her out of her trance. The two sides erupted with a flutter of screams, swinging at each other in a flurry of glimmers.
Ten minutes later, several of Minako's troops had fallen. Many of the enemy's had as well. Minako hoped they were merely unconscious, then looked elsewhere as the battle raged on.
"Enough," she muttered. Her feet left the floor as the necklace glowed. She floated right out of the long window, then hovered in a spot just above the castle. Lifting her arms, she threw a huge wave at the enemy soldiers, stunning them telekinetically. Each of the men went flying back.
All of a sudden, Minako's men took aim at her, shooting laser blasts from their spots on the field.
With a quick flinch, she summoned a shield — a round force-field which surrounded her frame. All of the lasers bounced off of it.
Minako glared. What was that? Why had her men turned on their queen? Then she looked ahead, seeing the answer. Jedda was standing on a high tree branch. She seemed to be using telepathy. According to what Jedda told her once, she struggled to affect large groups like this. That was why she hadn't influenced them sooner.
A huge black bird swooped onto the scene, huge enough to carry a woman's weight. Jedda reached up, lifting her arms. The bird grabbed them and flew her over the field, likely controlled by her mind as well.
Jedda was heading for the castle now. Jedda was heading for Minako.
Minako tightened her fists and prepared.
The knights started shooting at her once more.
Minako deflected more laser rounds. Her shield broke apart in her state of distraction. She hovered away and touched down on the roof.
Looking back out, she couldn't spot Jedda.
That was when Jedda took her by surprise, hitting the roof, and shoving Minako down. The necklace went skidding many yards away.
Minako got up as fast as she could, blocking Jedda's path to the artefact. Seconds later, she felt Jedda's presence within her head, trying to control her like the men on the ground.
But Minako wasn't a normal girl. She was a Sailor Guardian. Her power allowed her to resist the intrusion.
Jedda scowled, looking perplexed.
"Venus...power!" Minako yelled. A burst of gold light shone around her frame.
Jedda turned away, shielding her eyes.
Minako had just become Sailor Venus. She still didn't know what had triggered this fight, but it was a battle that she planned to win. She had to do her best not to harm Jedda, though, given the fact she was carrying twins.
"That is enough," another voice said.
Minako turned.
Hadea had appeared on a nearby screen, a small one positioned on the castle's roof. She'd probably been watching since the struggle began. "You've been manipulated," the empress declared. "Zorelda and Galaxia are your opponents. From what I gather, they knew that the necklace was a threat to their plans. That is the reason that they set this in motion. You can't fight them if you're fighting each other."
Minako paused, absorbing the words. One in particular began to stand out. "Plans?"
Hadea looked a little unsettled. "Both are attacking the surface now. The others are attempting to halt their advance."
Minako stiffened, feeling a chill. She and Jedda had to go help their friends, which meant that they had to cooperate. "Why did you attack?" she asked of her.
"Why do you think?" Jedda glared. "First my necklace — then my man?"
"What are you talking about?" She frowned.
"I saw you and Rick in the bed together."
Minako flinched. "Rick hasn't been in my kingdom, Jedda. He certainly hasn't been in my bed."
"I saw it," she stressed.
"Perhaps you didn't," Hadea injected. The empress paused, glancing aside, looking quite wise as she gathered her thoughts. "You mentioned that Zorelda deceived you before. Perhaps you saw what she wished you to."
Jedda hesitated. "I...I..." She turned away, touching her brow. The girl held her silence for what felt like a while. She seemed to be accepting reality. "I've been set up."
"Obviously," Minako added.
Jedda looked ashamed as she covered her face. She certainly had every reason to be. Then she turned and faced Minako. "But if Rick isn't here, what happened to him?"
Hadea raised her chin. "I will begin an investigation."
Minako collected the necklace again. "I have to reach the battle." She eyed Jedda's stomach. "You stay here." She began lifting her arms slowly. "Necklace of Venus..."
Jedda looked irked. It bothered her that Minako had changed the name.
"Take me to the Sailor Guardians."
Chapters
Flash
visits Rick and Jedda, who have been appointed rulers of the
Netherworld. Meanwhile, Queen Minako endeavors to serve her own kingdom,
which leads to a brief clash with Jedda.
Rick becomes the target of a complex scheme.
Jedda's forces head out to battle.
Tori guides the Sailors and Defenders in battle. An announcement is made within Jedda's land.
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