Janus was dreaming. He saw her, the Senshi of Time in all her manifold aspects spanning the vast corridors of time. She was naked but for her Garnet Rod.
"Pluto, you're redundant and that staff is mine!"
"But it is so pretty. I like it. I want to keep it for myself. You'll have to come and take it from, e, if you dare," she winked at him.
"That, Pluto belongs to me!" he heard himself shouting as she tilted her head, her emerald locks swirling around her tanned body as she regarded him, hooking one shapely leg around the stem of the object of his desire and pouted in a seductive manner.
"You mean this?"
She held it up for him to get a better look. The garnet orb atop the staff then began to turn, slow at first but kept building in speed.
"Exactly, and what the hell are you doing!"
"Who me?" She moved her body in a sensual manner, like a serpent about to strike. "I'm just having a little fun at your expense is all, Lord Janus."
The red orb spun before him then exploded. Shards moved in slow motion towards his face, yet he could do nothing to avoid the razor sharp fragments that embedded themselves in his eyes. He screamed.
When he took his hands away, the pain was gone, so too the blood that had gushed over his face and into his mouth. He'd spat it out but there was no longer anything there. He could see again. Janus sighed and coughed with relief. He was afraid now.
"I have your full attention now? Janus, you must help the princess, not capture her. What did you intend to do with that child? Have you even bothered to think about that?"
"Ah, a damned illusion, but I get the point… I'm listening but to answer your question she is the key to victory over the enemy. Of course I've thought about it."
Then the image of Pluto melted, literally into a pool of crystalline liquid and reassembled in the form of a crystal woman.
"Oh, by the-"
"Kamis?" she winked. "I am Princess Myola, otherwise known as the Oberisku no Shoujo. Miranda is not to be handed over do you understand me. You will get your victory, but at a cost the enemy will pay, not this innocent child."
"I am sorry, I hadn't realized; my sense of rage was much too strong."
"And that rage is so often the most fatal flaw in your species; it has led to so much suffering. Will you ever learn? You have Amydarainia, do you think you orchestrated events solely yourself? No, she is as are you, vital pieces of the puzzle that must play out according to the will of the kamis. I am sure you can appreciate and respect that, Lord Janus, destined keeper of the Garnet Rod."
"Keeper of-"
"Yes, if you help Miranda. You must create a ruse, have the enemy believe you are intending to capture and harm her, to sell the knowledge to the highest bidder. I will take care of the rest; otherwise, you are on your own."
"As you wish, Lady."
Waking, Amydarainia kissing his brow he sat up.
"I am making a big mistake with Dark Moon."
"How so, my love?"
"She is not the Oberisku no Shoujo, she is a powerful senshi, but no Goddess and is young, innocent and we must protect her, I've been blinded by my ambition, my anger, and stupidity. That my darling is changed now."
"Oh Janus my love, I am glad. I was hoping to hear those words from your lips. I love you."
"Guess a little humility is good for the spirit, and I love you too now… come here, there's some loving I wish to shower upon you."
"Oh yes, please, I am feeling the passion rising-"
Tokyo
Juuban Prefecture
Robbie walked along the carpeted hall searching for Pluto's apartment. Every now and again students would stop to pat and fuss over him.
"Hi cutie," a pretty brunette said, stroking his fur.
He mewed, turned in a half circle, slinking his way past the students along the carpeted causeway, brushing his body against their legs to slow them down.
He felt his paws leaving the floor as a cute blonde picked him up and hugged him, rubbing her face against his soft coat.
The Mauan detected the unmistakable signature of a Senshi. She introduced herself through a telepathic link as Sailor Hathor.
In her red sleeveless top and white shorts, she was not hard to miss, especially by those guys leaning in a casual manner against a pool table. They stood as if frozen in time, mouths agape as they drank in the rounded rump, long legs and toss of the head, this action captivating her admirers. Smiles of appreciation all round as Hathor and her cat melted into the crowd.
She carried Robbie towards Setsuna's apartment and knocked on the solid cedar door.
"Come in, especially if you're a blonde-haired odango Atama."
Opening the door, she stepped quietly into the room. Setsuna sat before her laptop and spun around to greet them, her eyes lighting up in surprise.
"Hi, I'm Hathor, better known by the students and faculty as Bianca. You are Setsuna, also known as Sailor Pluto, I trust. I need to speak with you. I'm here on Earth to assist Sailor Agni with these guys," she said, looking into the eyes of the black and white Moon Cat.
Setsuna's eyes grew larger as the golden crescent upon the brow of the cat flashed. It was then she noticed the silver hammer glowing upon the girl's brow.
"Well, Bianca...take a seat and, err, I'll get you a drink. You like citrus Earth beverages?"
Bianca nodded, smiled and sat, tucking her legs beneath her. Both women turned as the sound of keys in the door caught their attention.
Enki entered the apartment, kissed Setsuna and smiled at their unexpected guests.
"Hello," he said, bowing to the blonde and her feline companion.
The black and white cat hesitated for a moment, thinking how best to broach the subject.
"Princess Magenta Dawn and Miranda are trapped on Geb Prime, currently under attack by the Alliance. The girls had gone there to assist with the relief effort. The alliance won't worry about being selective when it comes to eliminating their greatest threat, for they believe Princess Miranda to be the daughter of the Oberisku no Shoujo. If the Araknitopa leadership decides to send its heavy armament, we are in big trouble. This is why Queen Freya has asked you to return to Orpheus immediately."
Orpheus
"You can't possibly be serious about attempting a rescue under these conditions, Enki," the queen pleaded, after struggling to control her emotions. "I know you would do anything to protect your sister. But my son, it's too dangerous… You might be killed before ever reaching the surface. I don't want to lose you both. I have few options. Our forces are stretched to the limit and relief is days away."
"Freya, I can use the glider. My small craft is fast and maneuverable. We can slip behind enemy lines and get them out," Pluto suggested.
Freya's eyes lit up with hope at the idea. She sat upon a soft milky-white crescent-shaped sofa with a relieved sigh.
"Are you sure you can pull this off, Setsuna?"
"I may no longer be guardian of time, but my powers are still significant. Trust me on this. We can do this."
"I only ask you be careful, Loki and Morgana look out for them. I must rest, for I will be no use to either myself or the Senshi and Shitennou if I don't."
---
As soon as the curse was lifted, the Mauan flagship had flared to life. Dormant for 25000 years, it had only been on three missions and this would be its third. The warship originally in for a refit at the Orpheusean shipyards under a cloak had shut down the moment the curse became active. For this mission, the now active craft would be called into service once more. Of course, Luna and Artemis were informed and along with Morgana and Loki, took command of the vessel. It would be used to help in the rescue attempt of Princess Miranda.
"All systems active," Best, a young cadet told Loki and Morgana, who stood on the bridge in their humanoid forms.
"Let's move out people!"
The crystal disk threw out a bright wave of lemon-green light before leaving orbit.
Janus's attack platform
The Temporal Mage launched his fighters.
After forty-eight hours, they'd taken out most of the Krateo, and shadow positions on the surface of Geb Prime. His forces fought alongside those of the Geb military to assist with the evacuation effort and escorted refugees to waiting transports.
"Curse those parasites! No, you're not getting your hands on Dark Moon," Janus shouted as he ran to the command bridge.
He assigned Lido, a young girl from his home world, with teal hair that fell in a long ponytail to assist Amydarainia. Once on the bridge, he stood with his senior staff to track Araknitopa troop movements within the sector, and readied his shadow forces for battle.
"How many craft do we have at our disposal?"
"We've around 15000 sir...our reinforcements from Liirosh are due to arrive within the hour, and this shall increase our fleet to 26000 with more if we need them, " the general boasted.
Janus disliked this creature. But he had to admit, the man was a skilled tactician and the bombastic tone, Janus found reassuring.
"Send for them; the Alliance is heavily armored. We'll rescue the princess, attack the Araknitopa from behind and send them limping back to Iowan where I'm sure there will be many executions to punish their failed officers," He laughed, knowing this was a deterrent to guard against failure. "They're so stupid, so typical of dark forces throughout the galaxy, always fighting to outdo one another while destroying their own ranks to become more powerful...the fools."
Below the surface of Geb Prime
Miranda and Kumiko walked along the causeway leading to the subterranean capital, Kamiah. There were trees and beautiful flowers running the length of the causeway. Kantaro and Magenta Dawn joined them as they met with Laksmilara and her generals, to plot defensive strategies.
"I think it's time for plane speaking. I won't lie to you," the Empress said, leaning upon the marble table, head bowed -- her hair falling in a curtain of red over sad bloodshot eyes, her fingers trembling as she struggled to hold her composure. The circular table presented the images of war.
"The enemy, as we feared, has sent their heaviest armament. We can only hold them off for a week at best. I must ask for sacrifices. I myself must also make hard choices," she said, taking a deep breath as all eyes focused on her.
Magenta Dawn crossed the floor to lend her childhood friend courage. "We will send as many of our people through the conduits created by Janus's forces as is possible, for its essential the evacuation continues. The reason they're throwing everything they've got at us, Laksmilara, has to do with Miranda and my presence on Geb Prime. But if we go-"
"No, Magenta…your presence at this time is purely coincidental. Why would they attack us with all they have, just because four highborn Senshi are on Geb Prime? We'll get you out."
"No, we've come to help your people, and we shall get as many off the planet and its satellites as possible. We're powerful Senshi… We can hold off the alliance long enough to allow reinforcements to reach us," Magenta Dawn explained.
Araknitopa Flagship
The tall, imposing figure of Morphogeno strode back and forth upon the bridge of the Krateo cruiser. He couldn't wait for the command to be given by his superior, Zero to fight.
Morphogeno was an ambitious mage with obsidian eyes that fixed themselves upon the yellow star, and tiny points on the screen. They were 60000 strong with countless fighter craft aboard each ship, ready and waiting for orders to launch.
"Kill that world and its sweet princesses. They stand between us and ultimate victory," he thumped his fist upon the control panel, his long dark hair darting across his face like a furious reptile. He kicked a nearby droid, who unfortunately, stood a little too close. Morphogeno laughed an apology as the artificial life form climbed unsteadily to its feet. He then turned on his heel and the echo of black leather boots reverberated throughout the chamber as the black-clad figure left the bridge, his cape flying out behind him as he went.
Janus's attack platform
"We're ready, General," an officer cried.
Janus was confident he could destroy half the enemy fleet in a single attack.
‘I wonder how many ships we have to take on.'
He expected around 20000, and this was a conservative estimate. Janus wasn't concerned, for he could suspend time and take them all out if he wanted. He had done this on previous occasions, but never on this scale.
Morphogeno's flagship
Zero's voice boomed through the enemy fleet. Morphogeno smiled as his superior gave the order to attack Kito, Blatona and the Vikonean home world before taking on Geb Prime.
Janus's Attack Platform
"It has begun!" Janus shouted as he urged Amydarainia to transform.
"Temporal Star Power," Sailor Praxis stood ready for action.
"We must make ready to go to the surface," Janus told her, "Take Lido and Ischemia with you. I want you to disguise yourselves as temple priestesses. I had my commander provide you with a citizen identity disk. At any sign of trouble, touch the stone on your choker and I'll get you out of there."
The battle was in its eighth day. Senshi warriors had boarded enemy ships and destroyed them from within. But not all were successful, nor were they expected to return.
The vast Krateo fleet resembled an assemblage of spider like creatures, with spikes spinning in space as powerful weaponry was unleashed upon Geb Prime's planetary defenses attempting to reinforce their sister world's positions.
Janus's ground troops slowed the enemy upon the surface by cutting off reinforcements from the enemy's main fleet.
"We're ready," his number one said, smiling, looking forward to surprising the alliance.
Janus moved the bulk of his fleet behind enemy lines and was poised to attack when the flashing beacon caused his wand to activate.
"They've got her. Prepare the temporal freeze," he commanded.
By this time, Alliance forces had managed to penetrate planetary positions as their invasion force gained a foothold on the Ukiyo continent, several hundred miles from the capital.
Laksmilara's elite forces had survived their heaviest attacks, but small cells were breaking through. The enemy had disrupted communications and infrastructure. It was bad, and nothing seemed to be stopping them.
Suddenly, the fighting stopped. Something had frozen enemy craft in mid-air. Laksmilara had to cover her ears as the Araknitopa ships in one unforgettable moment exploded en masse.
"They've been destroyed, Lady!" Tokedimu cried, "We don't have weaponry like that. These are chronophasic weapons of some kind. We've not seen the like since the Mealanex and Incarnadine visited our galaxy, 50000000 cycles back."
Tears of relief streamed down their exhausted faces as they clung together. Laksmilara didn't know whether her husband was alive or not, for she and her children hadn't heard from him for over three months. Her friend was an anchor. She decided at that moment to respond to the great need within her body and heart. She thought it a response to the war, further fuelled by passion and the need to survive, firing her sexual desires. They found themselves kissing in a torrent of passion. All other considerations crumbled as the two lifelong friends forgot all but each other in the face of possible death.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that," she said, crying, yet she was still kissing him. Laksmilara untied the cord at her slender waist and disrobed. She stood naked and resplendent, her statuesque body humming with desire before him, her beautiful red hair flowing over teardrop shaped breasts to silken thighs. He swamped her with kisses, traced the contours of her neck, and continued to pleasure her. She took fists full of his long blonde hair and gasped. He sent her body into rapturous spasms as his lips worked their magic. She helped him undress. They then made love upon their thick warm robes. She screamed with pleasure as he thrust into her moisten depths repeatedly as if their rising climax gave strength to their forces to fight on.
---
Miranda and Kumiko fought off Araknitopa soldiers with Kantaro's assistance, whilst Magenta Dawn covered the opposite end of the chamber.
Suddenly, a white robed priestess pulled back her hood, "I've been sent to get you out, trust me... I'm Sailor Praxis. Here, you'll need this to boost your power," the raven-haired woman said, as Miranda smiled and let the woman place the chain about her neck as Lido and Ischemia assisted the others.
"Dark Moon Transform!"
Sailor Dark Moon's scepter directed a pulse of energy towards the screaming Youma and enemy troops, disintegrating them.
"Eclipse Phantasm," Magenta Dawn shouted.
"Subspace Confusion," Praxis cried as more Youma and shadow warriors were destroyed. Only a group of spider-like machines remained, and these marched towards them before exploding in a violet light as Sailor Moon of the Future launched her Luna fireball attack.
"Sailor Moon, thank you for covering our asses. I think that takes care of that scum," Dark Moon laughed as the two women embraced.
Magenta Dawn smiled along with Praxis and her attendants. "I didn't expect you here, sis, and how did you get through?"
"Luna-P," sailor Moon of the future grinned as her trusty cat-eared sphere pulsed in her hands before returning to its subspace pouch.
Then a flash of violet light found them aboard Janus's attack platform.
"There's no time to explain. I'm General Janus. Contrary to what you might have heard, I'm not your enemy. They are," Janus waved his wand towards the countless Alliance fighters, engaged in battles with Geb Prime's planetary forces visible overhead through the crystal dome. Everyone gasped as all eyes fell upon the vast armada, 60000 strong. "You see. They've reinforced their positions. I'll be hard-pressed to defeat them."
"So, why did you try to kill Pluto, Praxis?" Magenta Dawn asked, shocking the raven-haired Senshi.
"I barely know myself," Praxis replied, her head lowered.
Magenta Dawn's stern expression softened, as she detected no negative energy signature from the young Senshi standing before her. Since Praxis had helped save their lives, she decided to reevaluate Pluto's earlier assessment regarding the individual, who had shed her dark nature. Something had changed in this young girl, little if anything of the former Sovereign of Silence remained. Praxis was princess of Chronos, her power pure, "All right, what's the plan?"
"We attack," Janus exclaimed, "but, I need you all on side... I'm a warrior mage, and the highest-ranking Shitennou on Chronos. I know a thing or two about tactics. So trust me on this, my falling out with Chronos was over Amydarainia. It's a long story, suffice to say, that's a moot point right now. If we don't stop the alliance, well, need I say more?"
"I realize you doubt our sincerity. I don't blame you. Janus and I have found something more important than power. The garnet staff is no longer as important to him," Praxis explained, wrapping her arms around him.
"Yes, the garnet staff was my quest for years. But now, all I care about is Praxis, my people and yours…and kicking the crap out of the alliance," he stated, meeting their eyes.
"Okay, I think I can say I trust you, my scepter doesn't lie. You're both speaking the truth. Your hearts are pure. But I hasten to add, you'll have some fast talking to do with Pluto," she warned.
They stood by Janus and Praxis, and agreed to work together and prepared for the fight.
The beautiful crystal disk headed straight for Geb Prime. It was met with all the firepower the Alliance could muster. The craft ran through the heart of the enemy fleet like a hot knife through butter.
Morphogeno's flagship
"What the hell are those fools pulling?" the dark mage shouted. He stormed out of his ready room and demanded they destroy the offending ship at all costs. He knew Zero wouldn't be at all pleased.
Mauan Flagship
Meanwhile, the cats checked weapons, released energy nets to destroy enemy ships, unlucky enough to be caught within their subspace web.
"This has been a long time in coming," Ishtar said, as she stood in her human form beside Loki.
The thousands of spider-like battle cruisers swarmed them.
"Launch the attack," Morgana commanded. Loki nodded. His golden eyes shone with excitement as he watched the screen. He stood six feet tall, his coppery-blonde hair tied in a long ponytail, uniform black with copper cloak trailing behind him as he hit the touchpad, bringing the tachyon pulse on-line.
"Pay-back time," Prince Onyx declared. The crystal disk throbbed as the most beautiful, bright lemon-green light consumed everything in its path. When it cleared, a third of the Alliance fleet had been vaporized.
This, the stroke of luck Janus had been hoping for, as he gave the order to launch his onslaught.
