W4
Defenders: Sailor Moon
By James
Chapter Four: Repercussion
Tori made a sigh as she studied the screen, a huge monitor on the wall in her base. She had a clear view of the scene downtown, where her uncle Flash and his team had flown. Zorelda and Galaxia were fighting her friends, along with the Sailor Guardians. As a researcher in her mother's unit, Tori had been tasked with directing the others, with helping them find a way through this scrap.
Things hadn't gone according to her plan — because the Guardians weren't following it.
The only friendlies standing were Makoto and Rei. Everyone else had been brushed aside. The enemies possessed unbelievable strength. Both were hovering alongside each other.
Fires and smoke rose throughout the street. Buildings looked battered. Cars were upturned.
The Sailors scowled, gritting their teeth. Both of their uniforms were tattered and charred.
Tori spoke into her small headset, hoping that the girls would listen to her now. "Don't attack directly. It's what they expect. Try to knock something on top of th- -"
Makoto fired. Rei did too. Long streaks of lightning and flame shot forth.
Tori sighed again, tensing a bit. These two Sailors were hotheaded.
With small force fields, Zorelda and Galaxia deflected the shots, sending both attacks back toward the girls. Each of the Guardians jumped aside, then they took cover amid the blasts.
"Uncle Flash," Tori said. "What's your location?" Her uncle was approaching the scene by jet.
"12 o'clock, TG," Flash replied.
She could spot his craft right above their foes. It seemed the enemies hadn't noticed yet.
"Got 'em in my sights. Proceed with Code Red?"
Tori stared a moment. "Switch to Code Gray. They'll stop a Code Red."
Four seconds later, two small missiles shot out of his jet.
The women turned around, apparently hearing, and both of them summoned force fields again. The missiles exploded. They'd done no harm, but each cast a huge cloud of smoke in the air. It looked like both women were swinging their arms, trying desperately to see through their haze.
"Ami!" Tori bellowed. "Now's your chance!"
Ami staggered forth, clutching an arm. Bracing herself, she sent a wide mystical wave toward the sky. The shot hit Zorelda, knocking her down. The witch appeared anguished as she shook on the street.
Makoto attacked Galaxia once more, launching a lightning blast toward her foe. Galaxia replied with a similar shot, one that connected with Makoto's own. Both streaks lingered within the air, clashing as they burrowed into one another.
Tori was surprised while observing the struggle. She'd studied Galaxia's powers well. She hadn't known the woman to have this one. Could it be that Chaos had increased her might? Was it even Chaos behind all this?
Makoto looked weary as the clash wore on. Galaxia was gaining the advantage now. Her shot began inching toward Makoto's frame.
Amy emerged at Makoto's side. Her outfit and hair were ruffled too. A little spark twinkled around her head — a sign of her telekinetic power. Seemingly using her special gift, she forced Makoto's blast toward Galaxia.
Galaxia shook, looking stunned, but managed to avoid being hit in time. She lowered her arm and hurried out of the way. The shot traveled upward into the sky — where it collided with Flash's jet. A wing flew off. The craft began spinning.
Tori stood up, gripped by horror.
All of a sudden, the wild jet froze, then landed safely. Something mysterious had eased it down. The wing hit the ground quite slowly too.
Tori made a squint, relieved and confused. Then her eyes widened as she spotted a roof.
Minako was standing with her boot on a ledge, the Necklace of Oros shining on her chest. So she was responsible for saving Flash.
Amid the fray, Usagi popped up, rising from the ground, using a thrust of her legs to stand. She faced Galaxia with her long wand raised, then began some sort of incantation. The wand responded with a mystical glow.
Galaxia faded, leaving the site. It appeared that she had just warped away. Zorelda vanished soon afterward.
Silence prevailed for a number of seconds.
Tori twitched a little as she eyed the streets. All of her friends looked shaken too. Those two enemies would have to be stopped.
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Defenders: Sailor Moon
The Netherworld — Three Hours Later
Rick stood quietly at Jedda's side, watching while she spoke to a packed throne room. Every now and then, he felt her hand, stroking his softly as she sat in her chair. She seemed quite ashamed over what she'd believed, ashamed to have thought that he'd cheated on her, even though she hadn't accused him of it.
Rick wasn't going to resent her for that. Everything was simply Zorelda's fault. She was the one who'd deceived his love, and she was the one who had captured him. But he was home now. He'd freed himself, making his escape while the women were gone. A squad of Hadea's had brought him back.
Jedda cleared her throat as she studied the court. "And finally, after I have made amends, we need to allocate more funds to- -"
The doors at the back of the room flew open. Who in the world would try to barge in here?
Jedda's guards surrounded her immediately, ready to confront the intrusion head-on.
Minako strode in with guards of her own, her bare feet storming down the long red carpet, her gold dress flowing behind her frame. She was adorned with a glittering crown.
Jedda stood up, glaring at her. "How dare you come into my home uninvited? I..." She paused, looking perplexed. Empress Hadea had appeared as well, walking behind Minako's small group.
Minako stopped. Her party did too. "Jedda Walker..." Minako said, looking hesitant, then resolute. "By launching an attack within my land, you have violated the 13th Treaty."
Jedda shook a little. "The 13th what?"
Hadea stepped forth. "A treaty I created when I rose in rank, one of several treaties between the lands. As one of my queens, you must know such things. You cannot attack that land unprovoked."
"I..." Jedda glanced at Rick in terror. "All of it was simply a misunderstanding.
Rick had been wary ever since he'd returned, wary of what the results might be.
Minako advanced, taking a breath. "Jedda, in honoring the empress's law, I hereby replace you as Netherworld queen, with your reinstatement left up to a trial."
"Now wait a minute..." Jedda replied, face full of awe as she watched the group. “I want to see the treaty.”
“That wish will be granted,” Hadea replied. She eyed the scene rather sorrowfully, then motioned to the guards at her side with a nod.
One approached Jedda, removing her crown. "Please come with us," the man said gently.
Jedda looked stunned. Her eyes were wide. She froze while gazing upon the court.
Rick stayed beside her as he glanced around, watching the others in disbelief.
Nobody said anything for a while.
After Jedda managed to regain her composure, she straightened her dress, let a breath out, and then began walking toward the distant doors. Her steps were shaky as she moved about.
Just as Rick was ready to follow her, Hadea spoke up, halting him. "Captain Gordon, remain here please."
Rick was baffled. "Why, Majesty?"
Jedda turned around.
"The Captain of the Guards must welcome a queen. You must vocalize your loyalty."
Rick had no intention of doing that — not with the woman he loved right here. He knew how much it would leave her upset.
"It is your duty," Hadea declared, sounding quite firm as she neared his spot.
Jedda ran away, fleeing the room. Was that for her benefit, or for Rick's?
Minako knelt at Hadea's feet, handing her crown to a noblewoman.
Hadea tapped a sword upon the girl's shoulders. "Let it be known, upon one and all, that a new ruler was crowned today." Hadea paused, her lips quivering. She didn't seem pleased that it'd happened this way. "Minako is Queen of the Netherworld." She handled the sword to a nearby guard, then placed Jedda's crown on Minako's head. "Rise, Minako."
Minako stood.
"Take the throne."
She took Jedda's throne, exhaling lightly. It seemed she was trying to relax in the moment. Was she excited, or overwhelmed? She probably hadn't wanted the kingdom like this.
“As we discussed, April will sit on your previous throne,” Hadea revealed.
Rick was jarred by that declaration.
Hadea faced Rick. "Captain Gordon, kneel to her."
Rick hesitated. He couldn't do this.
"Captain Gordon..." Her voice was sterner. "You are a soldier, and this is your queen. I repeat: kneel to her."
Rick dropped down right before the queen. "The guards declare loyalty to Minako." He reminded himself that she'd done no wrong. He also recalled that this was temporary. After Jedda's trial, she'd get the throne back. At least he hoped she would anyway.
Art by Neldorwen
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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