Sunrise
The two snakes danced, sensual and yet, deadly,
Tempest fugit, revisited…
Snakes with evocative fire bodies, these winding themselves in an image,
Sex and death combine,
The serpents blossoming into an array of sakura,
Tokyo 2010
“Open your eyes and catch the sun!” (Bonnie Pink)
The power outage wasn’t caused by lightning, rather, a few electro jacks as these were called; kids who scaled tall power poles, from the street-side analogue type to the Teslaric substations to use in their homes, or to sell the energy to the highest bidder on the black market. They knew that energy spikes induced by thunderstorms could help them skim more power into their lightweight collectors and didn’t mind getting sodden wet as the rewards far outweighed the discomfort of a cold. These young and foolhardy thrill seekers, clad in black leather body suits and rubber soled boots to negate the risk of electrocution, were likely to injure or kill themselves more from falling off the poles and power conduits than actually any threat posed by lightning strikes, although on occasion that did happen.
It wasn't at all rare to find people who were family and friends engaged in this illegal activity, but nobody reported them to the authorities. The siphoned power linked to portable subspace modules was use in a network of homes to bi-pass the central electricity grid.
Juuban Prefecture and a handful of other prefectures scattered throughout Japan, where these antiquated Edison grids still existed were systematically being shut down, this was commonplace; the reason the government made no serious effort to stop this practice. The result, it had become a win-win for the poorer citizens of the city saving money that could be better spent on food and other essentials. But not everyone did this out of necessity. One such group was the fringe dwellers to downright illegal gangs and syndicates.
In this new era caused by the fall of both the French monarchy and the revolution at the end of the eighteenth century, history was radically re-scripted. But it was, despite everything, a better future for all Morok’s evil intentions that were thwarted by Sailor Moon of the past and the warriors of the future in a team effort to deal a fatal blow to this dark wizard.
Technology had advanced markedly, by several decades in proportion to the original time line, both conventional and the Teslar Grid was used. The power lines of the 1970s were modified to receive the Teslaric currents from transduction coils set around the city for the residential quarter.
“Those guys are taking their lives in their hands doing that. I am only glad Morok isn’t still terrorizing the city, but I think it won’t be the last we’ve seen of him,” Usagi said, staring out the passenger seat window at the bruised skyline lit up by recurring flashes of fork lightning that highlighted the ghostly timbre of the streets of Juuban.
The skies opened up as they always did this time of year, plump tropical raindrops began to fall with a few subversive droplets hitting the roof of Mamoru’s red sports car.
“Looks like the streetlights are out, and probably half of Juuban Prefecture, but we’re okay; generators are pricy but worth their weight in gold,” he said, as Usagi nodded enthusiastically.
He turned up the radio, a Bonnie Pink song was playing, and ‘Catch the Sun’ brought a smile to their faces and Usagi sang along and Mamoru jumped in during the refrain, Bonnie, one of their favorite artists and this their favorite song. Then the pace of the summer rains began to pick up.
“I think we just have enough time to get to the apartment block, the traffic’s been pretty light and we’ve had a good run,” Mamoru said, patting Usagi’s hand and she beamed.
“With Tux in command, I am in good hands.” she snuggled up to him as they rounded the corner, the seatbelt stretching to its limit given her pre-maternal state .
They knew the weather was changing, as the thunder echoed off the walls of the car park to the apartment block. Usagi adjusted the white leather strap of her shoulder bag, gripped the bunny umbrella tight, stood up on her tiptoes and pecked Mamoru’s cheek.
“What was that for, Usako?” he grinned, brushing her cheek with his fingertips and then locked the car.
“For being so wonderful to Unazuki,” she said, she had been smitten with Shingo for so long, and she took it pretty bad when Aki won his affections and they started hanging out at Crown.
“It is the least I can do, and Motoki was also grateful, she’s a good kid and I am glad she’s dating again,” Mamoru said, thoughtfully.
“Although, after all that has happened: finding Crystal Tokyo had changed, and that I have another daughter in Miranda, not to mention the Big Freeze is only months away as is Chibi-Usa…” she trailed off, looking up at the brooding skies. ”Things are going to change and I’m going to miss all this.” She hugged him, and he kissed her forehead, her tear spangled lashes and those sweet pink lips.
With Usagi with him under the bunny brollie, they made a mad dash for the foyer as the thunder rolled and fork lightning rived upon the horizon.
“I’m wet, on my butt, Mamoru!” she whined. “That rain was blowing almost horizontal. I hate to think if that happened in winter.”
“Well, you’d be more covered up, as bare legs and short skirts would not be in vogue, at least, without a long coat to keep those lovely legs of yours warm and dry!” he shouted over the thunder.
She swatted him playfully, “You can still rub them for me upstairs, you know, get back some circulation. The wind and rain still chills the skin a bit,” she purred and he undid the umbrella and laughed as he pulled her to him, kissing her once more and then they stepped into the foyer.
“I’ll get you out of those wet clothes and enjoy doing it,” he grinned as the lift doors opened and they stepped inside.
Sitting on the couch, Mamoru smiled as his Usako stood like a sea sprite in the doorway, winking at him, knowing he’d soon carry her off to their bedroom. “You look scrumptious you know, but I need to text Takehiko… You’re a wonderful distraction you know… Don’t go way!” he grinned. “Oh, I have arranged for as many living things to be teleported through the Time Gate to help with the terraforming of Earth after the freeze. You know, as they say, fore-warned is forearmed.”
“You’re brilliant darling. Come on. I’m going to make you a coffee and you can help me in the kitchen and then later…,” Usagi said, swatting him with a tee towel, giggling as he chased her around the table several times, squeaks and squees in plentiful supply with the odd ‘ouch’ for good measure before she let him catch her and kiss her stupid.
As Usagi ate her blueberry ice cream and Mamoru sipped his Mocha coffee, Usagi spoke again, “We need to protect all our friends, and dangit; I’m going to use the Ginzuishou to bring them all to the future if I can… I know. Don’t look at me like that. Sure, it might not work, but a girl’s got to try, doesn’t she?”
“I know, Usako. But it’s best to be prepared for disappointment. It just may not be the wish of the Kamis, and their next embodiment could be important and require they don’t survive this one.”
“Point… Mamo-chan, I know, I tell myself that everyday, and will continue to do that,” she sighed, and raised the topic of Morok, whom had fled to the future. As much as she was worried about the possible damage, that Morok might inflict, she knew her older self would call upon them all if needed and she hadn’t yet, so Usagi was relieved. She remembered how Janus and Amydarainia went over the likely outcomes. “Morok wasn’t in the equation; that is, according to Aki. She knew this, and yet, is it any wonder the timeline hasn’t disintegrated given all the reboots it’s had.”
“Yeah, tell me about it,” Luna said, as she and the feline ensemble, including Hercules padded into the kitchen.
“Hi Guys,” Artemis said, rubbing up against Usagi’s legs as she poured some cream into three bowls.
“Good to see you guys,” Hercules added, “Love the décor, by the way, got some place for me to crash?”
“You bet,” Mamoru chuckled, ruffling Hercules’ ears.
“Thank you for the cream, Mamoru,” Luna said as the other cats nodded their agreement.
“My pleasure,” he said, noticing Unazuki and Yonohi-san wheeling their pushbikes up the drive on the monitor. ”We have guests for dinner, but I will undress you and help you change, and then we’ll go to meet them,” Mamoru whispered into Usagi’s ear, making her blush as the cats winked at each other and continued drinking their treat.
“Sounds like a plan,” she said, smiling and turning back to the screen. “He’s a nice guy, and they look good together.”
“That they do, Usako, I’ll talk to them through the intercom, then it’s a quick change, and the encore later tonight, my love.”
Mamoru woke from a very strange dream, one in which the world was different and so alien. He was glad it was only a dream, albeit, a rather vivid and freaky dream. The images Setsuna had shown them all at the Sakura Jinja the night before was responsible he knew.
The war of the 1980s involved a great battle in the Indian and Pacific oceans between the massive naval armada of these veritable superpowers as they went head-to-head to fight for the valuable prize, victory. The allies won, this demonstrating the military might of the Asian Coalition as it defeated the Continental Empire, the footage burning an everlasting imprint on his memory. Only nine detonations of the horrific nuclear weapons launched from enemy orbital platforms with four warheads each were used before the enemy surrendered after a two-week final showdown in 1987. The platforms destroyed and the EM pulse weapons neutralizing their remaining ground missiles it was soon all over and peace had returned at last. Mamoru was only a boy at the time, his parents killed in action, both doctors with the international Red Cross.
The footage on the digital casts was frightening to watch, but it reminded them all of how deadly war actually was. The film documentary was required viewing for all medical staff and doctors, surgeons alike to the nursing staff at Tokyo General Hospital where he worked as a surgeon and consultant to patients, both incoming and outpatients.
He enjoyed the segment on the research program set up to find a cure for radioactive diseases and the treatment and cure of these horrific afflictions had come a year or two later in May of 1989, this the work of a medical research team based in Portugal. With the hard work of the world’s best scientific minds, after three short years they'd made the crucial breakthrough that saved and changed the lives of tens of thousands of survivors of the epic world war, as it was known.
He was intrigued by the stories told them by Setsuna about the mirror Universe and the changes it brought upon their own world, a world they took so for granted and he was glad he lived in this one, not the other. These days, the concerns lay with the Middle East, seems it was problematic in both realities. Setsuna had told him about the alternate past. He was shocked. It was a future where the French Union had not existed, a very different Earth to that he knew and loved. Japan was different, but more renowned for creative arts, culture, and still master of the electronic age. He was shocked by what he learned of its cities: Nagasaki and Hiroshima in the alternate dimension. Despite the 19000 casualties of the nuclear conflict that raged for just under a week, in the alternative future, millions had died at the hands of a cruel dictator by the name of Hitler, whom he had researched to see if this man existed. He did, and was a poor artist, selling his wares throughout the French Union and involved with underworld crime in Hamburg, Germany, a petty scumbag. Thankfully, innocuous compared to the future he might have brought upon the world if not for the disruption to the timeline.
It had been ironic that it was Morok they had to thank for at least that blessing, but now, he had his sights set on the future, 30th Century Crystal Tokyo. Usako hugged him as she guessed he was pondering darker thoughts by the expression on his face.
“Come on, Mamoru, get your head out of politics and get down and dirty with me, I think I know how to put a smile on your face,” she purred, straddling him as he slid his large hands up and down her thighs, and smiled as her breasts beckoned his touch.
“You know me too well, my Usako, and you also know, I can’t resist my naked little bunny!” He drew her to him and kissed her and soon, after making love, they lay on their backs, the window open letting the warm summer breeze into their bedroom.
“Morok, he’s left Tokyo only to go to Crystal Tokyo, Setsuna told us she would let us know when we could all go there to help face off against that monster,” Usagi whispered, and Mamoru nodded.
“Yeah, but for now, my sensual bunny, let’s make a little love and leave the future till the next day, shall we?”
“Oh… oh, aeee, yeah!” she said breathlessly as Mamoru worked his magic on her more than willing body.
