Orpheus
The news was good. The mission a success, her daughter's safe. But at the sound of the rogue mage's name, she did a double take.
"What are you talking about? Janus, I don't believe it. He tries to kill Pluto, and now aligns himself with us in battle?"
"Apparently, he's agreed to work with us and has our party aboard his attack platform."
"Where's my son?" Freya asked, sighing in resignation.
"He and the Sulean Senshi are returning to Earth to prepare the Terrans for battle. They have already defeated an enemy task force that launched an attack on one of their southern most continents," he answered, bowing.
Janus's attack platform
Once more, the battle platform appeared in orbit over Tokyo. Janus had arranged for Sailor Moon and the others to teleport aboard to dine with Lady Amydarainia and himself.
A beacon on the obsidian consol drew the diner's attention to the holo-imager. Laksmilara's image appeared before them, she stood beside her chief aid. She had been crying, Tokedimu's expression of sadness matching her own.
"Marschiko is dead; he was killed several weeks ago. I felt it, but couldn't bear facing the truth. Janus, I know how you must have felt. I was told of your reasons for falling out with the Celestial Senshi. I'm glad you've resolved your differences and are mending bridges," she said, as Janus nodded, and then Amydarainia placed her head on his shoulder. Laksmilara pressed on, "Magenta, I thank you and your friends for helping us fight off the alliance. Reinforcements have arrived and Zero has pulled back to the ilex lines, their mother ships, some 6000 strong are no longer a threat. Intelligence tells us many of these have exploded due to hyper-drive engine failure. It seems quantum cascade continues to keep them occupied. We're hoping our counter attack will cut their elite wing down to 1000. We're in your debt, Janus. Thank you, and special thanks to you all. For without your intervention, well, I wouldn't be here speaking to you."
"We wish you well, my friend. Tokedimu, look after her. I know you will. We'll return at the first opportunity."
Usagi was fascinated by the platform's immense size and firepower.
It was at that moment Pluto strode into the dining room, eyes ablaze.
"Janus, I think you've got some explaining to do," she said, menace lacing her tone.
"You're right. You are owed an explanation…all of you," he replied, standing to address the assembly, "Five years ago, I was to be joined with Amydarainia. But the Araknitopa attacked our world, and my lust for the garnet rod began there. I was angry at Amydarainia's loss and turned my back on my own people."
"Okay Janus, please continue," Pluto commanded, beginning to understand his motives a little better.
"My actions were part of an unfolding ancient prophecy. I had studied ancient texts on a distant world known as Modena… and read a passage that included Amydarainia and myself, and the Sovereign of Silence. You see, the text explained how I would use the rod of Modena to fuse her essence with that of my beloved to revive her. I sought also to claim the Garnet Rod, but now… I no longer harbor a desire for acquiring it. I was destined to follow my path, such as it was. I stand here before you, pledging my allegiance and offering my services to you all. I hope you can find it within your hearts to forgive me. I understand if you don't." Janus lowered his head, waiting for the condemnation he was sure would follow. When none came, he looked up to see tears in Pluto's eyes, and smiles upon the faces of all as Amydarainia took his hand and kissed it.
Janus then lifted his goblet, as did they all, "Join me in a toast in the Earth fashion…to unity amongst all Senshi and Shitennou, and to victory!"
Everybody raised their goblets and chimed their response, "to unity and victory!"
Tokyo
Janus had spent a week on Earth with Amydarainia at Makoto's house before returning to the platform. Since the Celestial Senshi had brought the Earth into the fold, a NASA shuttlecraft had docked and paid Janus and Amydarainia a visit. The newly formed Sulean council, headed up by Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Kamen and Dark Moon, received a delegation of Earth's finest aerospace and military experts to inspect the platform with a view to constructing such craft to defend the planet. Janus had offered to make five hundred fighters available to the Sulean Global Alliance after his generals attended a meeting in The Hague on his behalf.
"I hope we will all meet again, after our victory over our enemies," he said, with a Senshi-Shitennou salute. The representatives of the world's leading nations bowed and performed the salute after having had a little practice with the help of the lovely Sailor Dark Moon earlier that same day.
Amydarainia hugged Usagi and the rest of her new friends. She crouched and embraced the moon cats with tears in her eyes, "I'm especially going to miss you guys. I've barely had time to get to know you and the others. But we'll meet again, my friends," Amydarainia promised, as Loki hopped onto her lap for a cuddle.
All waved as Janus and his fiancé -- having formalized their relationship, in the Terran tradition, announced their intention to conjoin. They entered the silver bat-like craft and returned to their orbital home. Mamoru had explained the concept of marital proposals to Janus, who warmed to the idea and proposed to a surprised and overjoyed Amydarainia, who naturally accepted his proposal.
Mamoru confided in his new friend that he and Usagi would marry at the Sakura Jinja in a matter of months inviting Janus and Amydarainia to attend.
---
Usagi had organized her schedule for the semester. She loved her apartment, with its enchanting open-plan design, ultra-modern kitchenette with its many mod cons that one could ever want and had Makoto's approval. Sky-blue tiles with silver lace motifs complimented the black-tiled kitchen floor festooned with tiny silver stars. The pink granite bench tops were contoured, ensuring no sharp edges would injure those working within its inner sanctum.
She ran her smooth hand over the cedar cupboards and pirouetted, bringing her sandals together in one clean movement. The floor-to-ceiling louvered double-doors before her opened onto a walk-in pantry.
Usagi opened these, stepped inside, marveling at its size. She looked up at something that caught her eye and stretched on tiptoes to pull down a parcel, noticing the satin gift-wrap that embraced the large rectangular box. She smiled, knowing it had to be her favorite treat. Usagi read the card attached to the silken paper with silver crescent motifs.
‘For my beloved and extremely cute Odango Atama, from your muffin.'
"You're so wonderful, Mamo-chan," she exclaimed, kissing the box and hugging it to her chest.
She squealed with delight as she returned to the lounge and sat upon the comfortable hot-pink sofa, kicking off her sandals and reached for the remote. She turned on the television, then opened the chocolates and selected a coffee-cream to begin her latest sojourn into the delicious world of Swiss chocolate she loved so much.
There was another soft hot-pink velvet sofa opposite the tinted-glass-top coffee table, supporting a vase of freshly cut long stemmed roses, delivered to her apartment that morning from Mamoru. Flanking the sofas were two matching chairs with huge cushions piled upon each. To the right, off the lounge-dining room, a door led to her study, bedroom and bathroom.
Usagi chuckled to herself, thinking about getting a job on campus after graduation, so she could continue living in this gorgeous student apartment.
Above Usagi's computer-workstation hung a painting of herself, Mamoru, and Chibi-Usa. It was here she spent hours working on essays, surfing the net, sending email to friends and family and writing stories.
In the corner of the study, an amazing sound system took pride of place. Usagi used the center of the floor space to project holo-images for study and entertainment. The latter was a frequent necessity, as this broke up her study regime. This actually helped her to retain more of what she read, making essay writing so much easier.
Makoto, Ami, and Rei often frequented her apartment during the week. On Fridays, Setsuna would entertain everyone at her place. Whenever she had to return to Orpheus, Ami submitted work on her behalf. Everybody chipped in whenever the others were involved with Sailor business. The cats also offered their help if required. Aki would drop in, but was busy helping her parents who had warmed to her and this gladdened Usagi's heart.
Usagi rushed into the lecture theatre, almost breathless. After removing her pack, she took her seat. She observed the other students' preoccupied and anxious expressions transform into those of relief after discovering they were not late for the start of lecture.
The sounds of shuffling feet, voices like excited birds, the occasional cough or sneeze, sprinkled with infrequent bursts of laughter relaxed Usagi. She flipped her book rest into position, arranged her items, took a deep breath and stretched her arms over her head, releasing a long sigh.
She set up her Nexus palmtop, a state-of the-art piece of equipment, and hot pink with silver trim. Its compact, octagonal, lightweight design made it easy to carry and slip into her pack. The palm-top didn't take up much room, and made note taking a breeze with its virtual laser-light keyboard. Umino had ordered the new computer for her. It was the latest technology, possessing a powerful AI crystal pod with 100 terabits memory capacity. Usagi was most fortunate to have such an advanced study tool, for most of her peers had the slower data stream, with only half the power and range of functionality of this formidable piece of hardware.
She shook her head to clear the cobwebs, making her meatball plaits dance in tandem as she shifted in her seat. Finally, the lecturer arrived. Behind the lectern, technicians worked with efficient skill setting up the computer interface to link Tokyo with Kobe & Kyoto Universities. The subject of the day was Contemporary Japanese Literature and Culture.
Usagi had surprised even herself when her interest in study did a 360-degree turnaround after her fifteenth birthday. Ami, Michiru, and Luna worked with her to improve her grades. Usagi's tutor, Inaki, was Haruna's niece. She was fun to work with and an excellent tutor.
The following year, Usagi's grades shot into the low nineties. Everyone was as thrilled and proud of Usagi as she was of herself. And to celebrate this unprecedented achievement, she spent a wonderful night with friends and family at a special dinner dance held in her honor.
It was a riot. For even Luna and Artemis drank a little champagne that night.
Usagi and Ami got very drunk and giggled while trying to steady the other as they stumbled along, leaning heavily on one another's arms.
Mamoru was a perfect gentleman. And as discreet as circumstances allowed, tried to maintain the girls' dignity by pretending they were stone cold sober.
When it was time to leave, he opened the door to his red sports car for them. Ami fell into the back seat, her skirt riding up so high it showed off her ice-blue knickers. Her sweet giggling face flushed a red so rich; it matched the paintwork on Mamoru's car. She pulled down the short hem and busied herself by fumbling about in her bag, to check her appearance in her compact.
Usagi climbed into the front seat, with some effort, and feigned helplessness as she giggled, which set Ami off once again. She, with theatrical aplomb put on her seatbelt, leaning over and kissed her boyfriend passionately. Ami grinned from ear to ear. It was Mamoru's turn to go red as Ami offered to kiss him too, claiming she needed to practice for Greg. They laughed uproariously.
Once they reached Mamoru's apartment, he invited the girls inside and served them coffee to sober them up a little.
Usagi complained about its bitter taste, despite the huge dollop of cream she had added. She tottered into his kitchenette and gasped at her distorted reflection in the polished oak cupboards.
She filled the kitchen sink with a little cold water and splashed some on her face, opened the fridge and poured a little extra cream into her mug.
They shared memories of the evening, and soon all three had tears streaming down their faces.
"You should have seen Artemis," Mamoru spluttered, trying not to spill his coffee.
"Yes, he was almost as drunk as Usagi," Ami giggled.
"Well, Miss 'Alpha Lady Number One,' you weren't exactly Miss 'Sober and Control' yourself," Usagi teased, as Mamoru stroked her hand, winking at Ami.
"I thank you, my beloved, for tolerating us both on the way home. Having to steer the two of us as well as your cute little red sports car was no small feet. Isn't he gorgeous?"
Usagi threw a look at Ami, sitting with her legs crossed; trying not to let the room spin out of control as the coffee gradually began to win the battle.
"I don't get drunk all that often, Mamoru," Ami assured him, "I am normally so straight-laced...but now; my lace might be showing a fraction."
They laughed as Ami tugged at her skirt. Mamoru poured more coffee into their mugs.
After an hour of recovery and some reheated pizza, Ami called Greg on her cell phone, as he was working late that night. She asked him to come pick her up from Mamoru's apartment. Mamoru gave each of the girls a small flask of freshly squeezed orange juice, along with strict instructions to drink a glass if they woke during the night, and to finish it at breakfast.
---
Usagi's thoughts returned to present matters, and she sat back to listen to the dulcet tones of Dr Yamoto.
Central Control had become a growing concern. Its new headquarters set up ostensibly to the efforts of Magenta Dawn, along with Ami, Mamoru and Umino was a beehive of activity. Within two weeks, it was operational. The Senshi outpost was located within the basement of Umino's house. There was also an emergency Central Control port in Makoto's staff-lounge of her new restaurant abutting the Crown Arcade, to back up the original in the arcade itself.
Umino escorted his friends through impressive ornate Japanese gardens flanking the homestead. Its miniature trees and fragrant flowering plants encircled by cherry blossom trees were a beautiful sight. Usagi remembered walking along this same flagstone path when she was a little younger. She adored the stone tiger, as it stretched out luxuriantly atop the veranda wall and remembered those times she and Naru would visit Umino after school. The tiger's mighty head faced the main gate, and looked quite fierce; its eyes challenged any intruder, while offering strength, friendship and security for the occupants and its honored guests. Since his parents traveled abroad often, Umino had free run of the house while they were away. He would take full advantage of this to invite his friends over.
