Tokyo 21st century
Juuban Prefecture
Luna and Artemis were making their way across town via a network of deserted alleys when their day took an unexpected turn in the most bizarre way possible.
The Cats were on their way to the arcade to meet with Mamoru, Usagi and the girls. They stopped for a time to admire the setting sun before continuing on their quest.
"Artemis, Doesn't it look a little like a Chinese lantern? Check out how its burnished corona makes the clouds appear as if they're on fire."
"Yeah, freak'n awesome, Luna!" Artemis replied, the sun reflected in his huge blue eyes.
"Strange how such a dirty atmosphere can create such a beautiful illusion, Artemis," Luna mused as the two cats continued enjoying the glorious Tokyo skyline.
The white Mauan became aware of movement off to their right.
"Luna, Look out."
Without hesitation, the nimble-pawed Moon Cat leapt behind Artemis, who assumed a battle stance, growling at the weird intruders. They stared in utter disbelief as the most incredible sight met their eyes.
"I bet Umino would find this fascinating," Artemis commented, his fur standing on end, as was his companion's, as she began snarling.
"Yeah, but I don't wish to be sushi, Arti. I think we best make the smart move and cut out of here, as Usagi would say, don't you?"
There were thousands of them. The metallic creatures appeared out of nowhere. These gleaming decapods, sashayed across the alley as countless others emerged from nearby abandoned industrial estates. They sprawled onto the surrounding vacant blocks like a pulsating carpet of platinum.
"Luna, stay behind me, we're not going anywhere right now it seems," he said, beginning to call upon his dormant ability to shape-shift. He'd never used it while on Earth. Yet, he just might have to force himself to remember how.
The cats continued to observe a group of the would-be invaders break ranks to examine a children's playground.
"I don't get it Artemis, they're ignoring us!"
"For the moment, but let's keep recording this. I think we've got a possible new enemy to deal with and I've a feeling they're far more advanced than the Dark Moon Clan."
"Great, just great, and after the girls have been through hell in recent years, now this!"
"Hmmm, but we have been warned of this new galaxy-wide nemesis. Perhaps these little guys are a scouting team or something?"
"That is as good a guess as anything I can come up with, but Thanks for the heads up, Artemis. You're right, the threat from the stars seems a little surreal and therefore, unreal. But we can't afford to be slacking off, I don't want detention," she giggled, trying to break the tension they both felt and forced a laugh.
Artemis could envisage his humanoid self, but he was struggling to hold onto it. He then noticed the majority of the metallic creatures were absorbing abandoned car-wrecks and other mechanical waste strewn over the industrial badlands as these converted it into raw energy, collected by electric-blue airborne plasma-blobs, storing their produce the same way bees collect pollen.
These entities were half a meter in length. Their silver legs, much like a Crustacean, moved with smooth efficiency. Each creature possessed glowing sapphire-blue eyes and translucent black antennae.
Ten minutes later, Sailor Mercury was kneeling upon the grass, computer in hand, a look of concentration on her face. She was conducting her preliminary scans, curious about the readings. These creatures were like nothing she had ever seen before. She felt this was a precursor to something important.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Senshi blocked off the network of alleys with a force field courtesy of Tuxedo Kamen.
The creatures stopped, and remained motionless for the briefest of moments, watching Kamen's hands pulse with golden light. The energy screen he created prevented any passers-by entering the restricted area.
Some high school kids stood behind the shield, not understanding what it was, or why they couldn't see through it.
"Hey Suki, what do you think this is?"
"Donno, Atori-san, but I wouldn't touch it!" his classmate replied, stepping back as the fuzzy bright light bulged at their approach.
There was a crowd gathering. Some schoolboys began throwing stones at the golden shield on the opposite side of the prefecture, these disintegrating on impact.
Mercury's attention returned to the flashing screen, as her computer processed the data she collected.
"Hey, guys, these are harmless. I'm not picking up any negative energy signatures. They're only scanning the area for their own scientific curiosity. They're recycling waste, altering its molecular structure and converting it to pure energy. I cannot determine where these guys are from. But I can tell you this much, they're not connected with the Alliance."
She scratched her head. Sailor Moon knelt down beside her, smiling at one of the creatures caught up in a ball of spun aluminum wire. She attempted to free the decapod from its predicament. Its eyes fixed upon hers and flashed twice as its body hummed, and ceased its struggle. It knew Sailor Moon was trying to help.
"Wow, so cool! But where are you from, little guy?"
There was a sudden flash of lemon-green light, announcing Pluto and Enki's arrival. They joined the others, keen to examine the strange Insectoid.
"They're from a planet not far from Orpheus," Enki exclaimed, pointing to the forehead of the creature in Sailor Moon's hands.
"Yeah, Enki, They're so pretty though. Look at the sapphire helix. They probably discovered a link to one of the lost portals and found themselves here on Earth," Sailor Moon speculated, furrowing her brow.
Mars sat beside Sailor Moon and addressed the creature, "Hi there, Err, why have you come to our planet?"
To her surprise, and everybody present, it spoke perfect Japanese, "You're correct, Sulean Princess. I am the prime Composoid task director representing the people of the Dendoria, a Mauan Diaspora scattered through a region of space upon many worlds. They are a highly advanced civilization by your Earth's standards. The Dendoria have colonized the outer rim of our galaxy, and are by nature, peaceful explorers, but after the alliance attacked that all changed. We've engaged them on countless occasions and held them back thus far… But only just," the Composoid explained.
"So, how did you get here, through the portal?" Jupiter asked, still stunned by the talking metallic insect.
"Yes, Sailor Jupiter. We're going to need all the help we can get as a crucial turning point in the war is fast approaching. I must inform you that a Celestial Senshi representative and her team will soon contact you as others, including members of the Lords of the Scimitar arrive here on Earth to prepare you for what is to come. We are setting up sub-surface beacons for our allies. Be brave and be well my friends."
Sailor Moon set the Insectoid down and it soon rejoined its fellows.
Tuxedo Kamen approached the gathering. He waited for a break in the conversation before sharing the news he was sure would take everyone by surprise, especially Luna.
He stood cradling a fluffy white cat in his arms. He couldn't help smiling in anticipation at the reaction they'd get.
"Hey guys, I have somebody here that I think you just might want to reacquaint yourselves."
Sailor Moon and the others turned their heads and couldn't believe their eyes. Luna gasped in disbelief, and promptly fainted. Artemis was finding this all too funny, and his tail brushed against Luna's nose and she stirred.
She stirred, mumbling to herself, "No, it's not him. He can't be one of us, can he?"
Artemis tried not to laugh as he winked at the smug expression on the huge white fluff ball's face.
"Hi, Luna! Yes, it is indeed I, Hercules," the cat exclaimed, "Look Kitty. I won't bite. Hey, I've taken your advice and trained real hard to shed some kilos. I feel great."
He poured himself from Tuxedo Kaman's arms and sauntered over to Luna and Artemis, sitting upright to wash himself as he gazed into Luna's stunned face.
"You, How, but you're an ordinary cat," she stammered.
Hercules shook his head. Artemis sputtered a laugh that only gained him a whack from Luna's paw, sending him tumbling. He jumped to his feet and mewed by way of apology.
"Now there's one out of left-field," Venus giggled.
Luna sighed, and then turned back to Hercules, "So, big guy how did this come about?"
He looked at the stunned assembly, and began his story, "You see, after we last met, I continued to live with the little girl, Amanda and her family. They were quite happy to look after me, but then one day a Moon Cat shows up introducing herself as, Princess Ishtar of the Mau collective. Before I knew it, she befriends me and gives me a history lesson on Mau culture that blows my mind. She starts speaking to me. She had a crescent on her brow, just like you and Artemis. She told me I was a sleeper. I thought she was teasing me about my long catnaps. But she meant business and I am ashamed to admit it, I climbed a tree and refused to come down. She waited for me to recover my dignity. Then, with some reluctance, I climbed back down so we could talk."
"You must have been so scared," Sailor Moon said as she stroked his fir.
Luna nodded, still stunned by this latest shock.
Artemis chuckled, "You weren't frightened by Luna, Hercules. But this new cat freaked you out?"
"I will explain that later, Artemis. Where was I? Oh, yes, she coaxed me down and pressed her forehead against mine. Well, I went into a trance and I began to feel weird. But it was a good weird. She placed this firestone collar around my neck. She asked me to speak, and to my surprise I found I could," Hercules shrugged and crouched close to the ground, looking up into the eyes of his friends as once more, the insectoids stirred into motion.
"I bet you were surprised by all that!" Usagi giggled, ruffling Hercules ears as she knelt beside him.
"You bet I was! I was having weird visions. I had once lived on a world with a race of cats similar to Luna and Artemis. Ishtar went into great detail regarding the history of the galaxy and Earth's connection to a world called Orpheus and lots of stuff about some nasty alliance."
"But why were you chosen over other cats, Hercules?" Jupiter ventured.
"I was too busy admiring my glowing crescent in a nearby window to take in everything she had said, but I remembered all the important bits. So, to answer your question I had possessed a fragment of the Nijizuishou. But Ishtar had restored my Star Seed from something called, The Crystal Nexus all those carrying shards of the Nijizuishou could become like you guys," he said, blinking. "But I was in for another shock when we were transported to a massive Mauan warship in orbit around the Earth. I received training as a Mauan warrior. It was hard work, Luna I can tell you, hence my slim lines!" he chuckled.
Luna and Artemis nodded as they recalled something of this process emerging from their ancient memories. Luna smiled and extended her paw, "Welcome, Hercules. I also wish to inform you my beloved partner, Artemis, and I are both glad to have you join us in the fight against the Alliance, and welcome you to the Central Control team as well."
Hercules's eyes opened wide at the news regarding Luna's fur-lined love, and blushed, "Hey Artemis, I won't cramp your style. Luna's been a good friend, and I would like to be yours, too," he said with sincerity.
"I remember teasing Luna about you back then, so there's no need to worry about that. Luna and I go back quite a way, and we've a daughter named Diana. You'll get to meet her, along with Morgana and Loki from Orpheus," Hercules meowed and the two cats slapped paws in a gesture of friendship.
