Hallo!
Again.
First off, I'd like to thank everyone who wrote in and told me what they
thought of Molly's Secret.
Secondly, I am aware of the problems of punctuation and grammer. These are
major weaknesses of mine and I am aware of them. I don't like prereaders
though. For some reason, it just goes against my sense of creativity. Ah well.
Finally. Regarding Mistings and Archives. Permission for MiSTings is freely
given, just let me know where you put it up. Same goes for Archivers.
As a side note, if you archive or MiST my stuff please list my E-mail as
crystalknight30@hotmail.com.
Alrighty ::Checks To Do list:: That's everything. Enjoy the show!
Pretty sure the Spell Checker missed a few,
-Komodo
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Keep/5268/
************************
Though it's true that Amy Anderson prefers her books to socialization and as
a result her social skills are somewhat stunted, she also bears the burden of
a terrifying and dangerous secret. A secret she has concealed from her
closest friends. A secret that will drag her friends into a world of beasts
and the code of honor they live by.
Hello, I'm Komodo Kyhdinserric and tonight, on Altiverse Sailor Theater, we
will expose that secret and the consequences it brings in a piece entitled.
"Amy's Secret". So sit back in your chair, keep that finger on the scroll
button and come with us to Tokyo, for the Sailor Soldier's strangest
adventure to date.
****
The Blood Dragon Gang isn't so much of a gang as it is a loose confederation
of groups and individuals scattered across Tokyo. To begin our story, we will
take you to the edges of the seamier side of the Juuban district, where a
trio of street toughs are about to learn a lesson they will remember for the
rest of their lives.
****
The thickly muscled forearm slapped the books out of the teenager's arms,
causing her blue eyes to go wide.
"Well, well." Owner of the forearm said, sneering. "A trespasser." The
teenager looked at each of them as she began slowly backing up.
"Um...its wrong to trespass, so I'll just be going." She gave them a big
hopeful smile.
"Relax. All we require is a small fee to aid us in the governing of our
territory." The leader said smoothly. "And then you may continue."
"I don't have any money." She said, backing up a little faster. "I suppose
I'll have to leave." The trio snickered.
"Relax." Said the leader as his confederate's arm snaked out and grabbed the
teenager's arm. "We take payment in many forms. Step into our office and
we'll explain them to you." With that, he began dragging her towards a nearby
alleyway while the third member of the trio scooped up her dropped things so
no passerby would get suspicious and start poking his nose into matters that
didn't really concern him.
****
The radio was an American Import from a company named Bose and it filled the
room with its deep rich sound quality. At this particular point in time, the
radio was tuned to a local news station.
"And in local news, authorities remain baffled as to what it was that tore
three young men, tenitivly identified as members of the Blood Dragons, a
local street gang, to shreds. Though the police remain close mouthed, a
detective had this to say." The sound of an older man's voice came out of the
radio.
"We're still working on it, but it looks like they picked the wrong person
and regretted it. The look on what's left of their faces certainly seems to
indicate they were regretting something when they died." The reporter's voice
returned.
"A local woman, who spoke only on condition of anyomittity, said that she
heard what sounded like the growling and snarling of a very large animal.
More as it becomes available." The hand of the radio's owner, a tall,
barrel-chested man, who's only sign of his advanced age was his graying hair,
reached over and turned the radio off.
"I think we've heard enough." He said, opening the binder before him. "There
is a were loose in Tokyo, and where there is one, there is usually others. We
must ascertain the number of the pack's members, who they are, what they
want, and deal with them if nessacary."
"But Grandfather." Said the young man seated at his right. "It may be a
single were who simply wishes to be left alone." He locked eyes with his
older relative. "Besides, the Order of St. Tulle exists to protect innocents
from those who would steal it. The Blood Dragons are hardly innocents and
chances are, they provoked it."
"A single were means a Ronin, and a Ronin were usually has something wrong
with him." The elder man replied. "Today the Blood Dragons, tomorrow, that
blond girl you like so much." The younger man's eyes narrowed for a split
second.
"Dirty pool." He hissed.
"But its the truth, and she's as innocent as they come." The younger man
didn't reply. "Now then." Said the elder. "Here is how we will proceed."
****
"Hey guys." Said the manager of the Arcade, a blond haired youth named
Andrew. "How's it going?"
"Look!" Squealed the blond girl, her hair done up in twin odangos, waving the
piece of paper in his face.
"Not bad Serena." Andrew dug in the pocket of his apron and came up with some
tokens. "A round of the new Sailor V. On the house." Serena laughed with
delight and ran for the video games. "She's certainly happy over a C." Andrew
observed to his friend, a tall black haired youth named Darien.
"That's part of her gift." Darien said with a smile. "She can be happy when
everyone is down and you can't help but be happy with her." Then he lowered
his voice. "Grandfather is convinced we have a were in Tokyo, possibly a
Ronin." Andrew winced.
"We don't need that."
"Maybe. Maybe not. Not all Ronin's are bad. Don't ask me why I believe this,
but something tells me this were is better off just being left alone."
****
"Amy Angela Anderson!" The blue haired girl stopped short at her mother's
tone.
"Yes Mother?" Doctor Sarah Anderson thrust the evening paper into her
daughter's face. Blinking, Amy held the paper at arm's length and read the
headlines which announced the grisly find in the alleyway. The older woman
crossed her arms.
"Well?" She demanded. "Now would you like to explain why you came home in
Lupushomid?"
"I didn't have a choice!" Amy snapped. "They wanted to rape me! I am not
going to give up my virginity just so the Pack can cower in fear from the
Order of St. Tulle!" The sound of skin on skin was loud in the hallway as
hand connected with cheek.
"We do not, 'Cower In Fear'" Doctor Anderson's voice was very soft. "Nor will
we allow humans to track us and label us like cattle."
"I won't sacrifice my virginity just to protect the pack!" Amy snapped back,
her eyes taking on the yellow tint that signaled an imminate transformation.
"You jeopardized our existence!" Doctor Anderson half shouted back, her eyes
taking on the yellow tint as well. It was the ringing of the phone that saved
the two from coming to blows.
"Anderson Residence." Amy said as she picked it up. "Oh. Hello Lita."
"Hey Ames, Serena got a C on her math test and Darien's taking her for pizza
to celebrate. We're invited to come along. You in?" Amy shot a side long
glance at her mother. "Sure Lita."
"Cool. We're at the Crown. See you here!" Then there was the click and the
hum of the dial tone.
Without looking back, Amy grabbed her coat, her chem book, and left. As the
door slammed shut, Sarah Anderson sighed, passing a weary hand over her eyes.
Amy was right, the pack elders had no right to ask her to sacrifice her
virginity just to keep them a secret. On the other hand, there had been no
need for her to take their lives. Now the Order would be scouring Tokyo,
searching for her. For them.
****
The pizza party went well, and the topic of the murdered gang members was
mentioned only briefly. Which was all the better for Amy as she was still
trying to recover her self-control. The Beast had a long memory and combined
with a teenager's natural resentment of their parents, it was, she reflected,
a wonder she hadn't gone lupushomid and fought her mother right there. Though
the building they lived in was full of their fellow weres, it was considered
bad form to strike your parent, and Amy, being only half were, was frowned on
by the clan as it was. Striking her mother would have led
to...to....Banishment and conferrence of the title Ronin. Her insides twisted
with revulsion.
"Hey Ames? Ames?" Amy blinked. Lita was looking at her with some concern.
"You okay? You're looking a little sick."
"I'm fine Lita. Just one to many late nights catching up on me I guess." She
gave the brown haired girl her best smile, praying she wouldn't pursue it.
Then again, maybe she should tell them. They never kept secrets from each
other, they were too close. Unbidden, she thought of Haruka and Michiru. Some
of them were closer then others. But no. The Law was very clear. No Outsiders
save mates of Packmembers except in very special circumstances. On the other
hand, these were her friends. People who would live and die for each other
without second thought. If anyone could handle her secret, it would be them.
But could she tell them?
****
After the Party, Amy went across town to a small house nestled in the slums.
Unlike its brethren, which merely looked rundown, this one had an aura of
otherworldlyness about it. The Beast snarled, not liking this one bit. Amy
sqaushed it down. She liked Manaro, even if the Beast didn't. Manaro was
a....well, Amy wasn't sure what the old woman or man was. He/She seemed to
change gender each time she/he moved. Amy pinched the bridge of her nose.
Even her brain couldn't decide. But Manaro was probably her best friend next
to her fellow Senshi. He/She had been friend, mentor, confidant, and
subistute parent on more then one occasion. Amy raised her hand to knock when
the door opened. Tonight, Manaro was almost androgynus in appearance, with
pale blond hair down to her her/his shoulders and a priestlike robe.
"Hello Amy. Come in." Manaro stood aside, and Amy entered, slipping off her
shoes. In the center of the room under the soft light of a ceiling lamp and
surrounded by shadows, a table, with tea already set out. Amy managed a smile
and sat. As always, the tea was just as she liked it.
****
"...And the last thing I want is Banishment." Amy said as she set the tea
down. "But its killing me keeping this secret from the guys."
"Why not tell them then? Is this not provided for in Pack Law?" Amy hesitated.
"Yes. But only under specific, exact circumstances." Amy groped for a way to
put the worries on her mind into words. "I mean, we have enough trouble
dodging TV cameras when the youma show up. How can I burden them with the
fact that there's weres and worse in Tokyo?" Manaro nodded and was silent for
many minutes, his/her ageless black eyes deep in thought.
"You trust these girls with your life in your war with these invaders, so you
must trust them with your secret. It is the only way to ease your guilt."
"But the Pack..."
"The Pack does not make your decisions for you. You do." Manaro said quietly.
Amy nodded, knowing she/he was right.
"You're right of course. But still..." Amy hesitated, groping for words.
"The Truth is always a difficult path to follow and it takes a strong person
to follow it." Manaro said softly. "You, Amy, are stronger then you yourself
realize. But I can only point you at the path. You must walk it." Amy stood
up.
"Thank you for the tea." Manaro stood up.
"Anytime."
****
"...So then I slammed it into her, knocking her off her feet just as the
buzzer sounded! We still lost, but that was the best moment of the game for
me." The Senshi were gathered at Raye's place listening to Mina recount the
final moments of that morning's volleyball game. Amy stared at her books. How
do you tell your closest friends that you change shape and like real wolves,
live as long as you want? Okay, that wasn't precisely true. She could die,
and had done so on several occasions, but the Silver Crystal had brought them
back. But, still, considering her mother was pushing four hundred, it was a
huge step. Blinking, she tried to focus on her trig once more, but couldn't.
"Amy?" She looked up to see Raye and the others looking at her. "You said you
had something to tell us?" Amy swallowed hard.
"Well, I have something to tell you..." She sighed and held out her hand.
"It's easier if I show you." She was about to will the transformation, but
then they heard sounds of screaming from outside. As one, out came the scout
pens and five seperate voices called on power of the Starseeds.
****
The monster, Jupiter reflected, was ugly. It stood at about two meters tall,
had the body and head of a minotaur of Greek Myth, but bore batlike wings and
a long, spiked tail. This, she decided as the monster's hands began to glow,
would be easy.
****
Her first thought when she awoke in a haze of pain was that she needed a new
definition of easy. She and the others were shackled to slanted tables in a
large room. Behind a bank of controls, a wizened little gnome in a lab coat,
fiddled with knobs and dials.
"Starseed bearer awake!" He chortled, coming around the machienery. "Much trou
ble I go through to come to your world. Obtain Starseeds I must for
research." He pushed a stool over to her and spent the next several minutes
peering into her eyes, taking hair and skin samples, and poking and prodding.
All the while, muttering to himself and giggling. Finally he stopped and
climbed off the stool. "Yes. Test tolerance now." Chuckling, he went off and
returned pushing a large machine on wheels. Jupiter's eyes widened. She had
seen it before. In the hospital ER. It was a crash cart, only a lot bigger.
Cackling to himself, the gnome attached the leads to her forehead,
collarbone, and hands.
"Wha-What are you doing?" The gnome peered at her.
"Must be sure Starseed is pure. Must test how well it handles pain. Hm? You
cooperate with Silmas? Yes?"
"No!" Jupiter snapped, glaring at him with hate filled eyes. "I demand you
let me and my friends go now!" To her surprise, the gnome considered it.
"No. Must have Starseed." With that, he went back to work. "Your life go for
good cause. Bring Silmas much honor." Climbing the small ladder, he perched
on the machine. "Now we test." He pushed a button and the Senshi of Thunder
screamed.
****
Her body ached. She could barely move. Dimly, she could hear the sound of
Mars screaming as their tormenter performed his sadistic little tests.
Blearily, she opened her eyes to see the gnome attaching the leads to
Mercury. Struggling, she tried to break the bonds.
"No." She said, her voice a hoarse whisper. "Not Mercury....not Amy..." She
tried to move, but her body refused to respond. She could only watch in
horror as the gnome climbed his dammned machine and pressed the button.
Mercury screamed as the electricity poured through her. Then suddenly the
screaming stopped. Mercury's head fell forward, her teeth clenched tight.
"Eh?" Silmas climbed down and up onto his stool to have a closer look.
"Starseed Bearer?" Mercury's head snapped up, her eyes were blazing yellow.
"Starseed Bearer fine." Mercury growled, as brown hair began to rapidly cover
her face, her head seemed to change shape as her arms thickned. Her costume
began to tear as her ears moved up her head and became pointed. With no
effort, she tensed, and the shackles snapped off as she continued to grow.
Within moments, Mercury had been replaced by seven foot tall beast. Its hands
were large and powerful, the head most definetly that of a wolf's. Hair
covered all the important parts and there was murder in its eyes as it
advanced on Silmas.
"Starseed Bearer?" Silmas seemed unable to believe what he was seeing. Then
he shook his head, getting a grip on himself and shouted something in a
strange, harsh langauge. No sooner had the words left his lips then the
monster came running in, roaring. Mercury roared a reply and the two collided
in the thud of flesh against flesh. The battle that followed could only be
described as primal. Wounds were carved that healed almost instantly, jaws
ripped out chunks of flesh and bone fragments litttered the floor. Jupiter
watched as long as she could before blacking out once more.
When she awoke, Mercury was standing over her, her face human and her fuku
intact.
"Don't" Mercury said, pushing Jupiter back down as the green clad Senshi
started to sit up. "You've suffered extreme electrical shock and your
skeletal structure is calcified. You have to stay still. The Ambulance is on
its way." Jupiter started to speak, to tell her that she saw her transform.
"Don't speak." Mercury said. "You have to transform back to Lita. Can you do
that for me?"
"I-I" Jupiter started to speak.
"Shush." Mercury said gently. "Transform Back." To tired to argue, the Senshi
of Thunder complied, and blackness claimed her again.
Mercury plucked the pen from Lita's hand and looked around. The monster had
degenerated into some sort of ooze and even now, was rapidly decaying. She
had already destroyed the teleportational apparatus and the crash cart had
been safely hidden.
Satisfied that the scene was simply four innocent girls taken to be used in
some sort of game by a madman, the Senshi of Water turned to look at Silmas,
who was cowering in the corner.
"Now then." She said, picking the gnome up. "Let's have a little chat. Shall
we?" With that, she too left.
*******
"No! Silmas scientist! Need Starseed!" The little man cried. "You will give
Silmas Starseed!"
"Tough talk for someone with just a rope between him and a twelve hundred
foot drop." Mercury said casually. She and the little man were sitting on a
flagpole, which jutted out of Takahashi tower, the tallest building in Tokyo,
until the mile high Millenium Tower, who's skeleton already jutted out of
Toyko bay like a giant spear, would be completed by December Thirty-First,
1999, just two short years away.
Actually, Silmas was hanging from the flagpole, one end of the rope tied
around his ankle, the other around the flagpole upoun which the Senshi of
water perched.
"I must complete reasearch! Comply you will!"
"Look you little worm," Mercury snarled. "My own mother would have ripped
your throat out and feasted on your bones by now." She felt the Beast start
to assert itself, and pushed it down. "Now, give me answers."
**************
Tokyo Central Hospital, the next afternoon...
"Lita?"
"Hm?" Lita looked up at Raye.
"You seem distant. What's wrong?" The two girls were seated in wheelchairs on
the patio of Tokyo Central Hospital, taking in some much needed sunshine and
fresh air.
"Just worried about Amy." Lita replied. "Where is she and why didn't the
ambulance crews pick her up?"
"Oh." Raye said quietly. "I'm sure she's fine." She managed a smile. "She's
just as tough as the rest of us when you get right down to it."
"Maybe. But I'm still worried about her." Lita said, and then fell quiet
again, and refused to talk, despite Raye's repeated attempts to engage her in
conversation.
She couldn't get the images out of her mind. Amy transforming into some sort
of humanoid wolf creature and engaging the monster in combat. Was this
something new? Some kind of Outside intervention? Or had Amy been keeping
secrets? Unless this wasn't even Amy at all, but some sort of Negaverse spy.
But then why would she save them?
Lita pinched the bridge of her nose. There were too many unanswered questions
and as soon as she was out of here, she was going to find some answers.