Not much to say right now except that Chapter 2 of Molly's Secret is on its
way so all of you who've been waiting for it, its coming.
Working as quickly as he can,
Komodo
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Keep/5268/
***********
Part 3
When she woke up, she found herself tied spread eagled to a iron ring
suspended from the ceiling. Around her, weres stared at her, their yellow
eyes staring at her balefully. Uncomfortably, she remembered something else
in the book.
Throughout their lives, from the onset of their first transformation, at the
first full moon after the beginning of adolescence, Weres walk a thin line
between the rational civilized human they were, and the primal Beast that
lurks in their soul.
The Beast is regarded as a separate entity in some circles, fully capable of
assuming control and performing whatever action it believes is nessacary up
to and including murder.
"What is your name?" One of the were's asked. It was bigger then the others,
its black fur spotted with gray.
"Lady Jupiter of Crystal Tokyo." She shot back.
"Lady Jupiter." It repeated, seeming almost amused. "Very well. . .Lady
Jupiter, might I inquire why you felt it nessacary to make an. . .unannounced
visit?"
"I like surprising people." She replied. The were burst out laughing.
"Ah, refreshing. I am Shingay, Alpha Male of this Pack."
"A pleasure. How about letting me down?"
"Ah me, sadly, no. You see, the Law has some very specific rules about this
sort of thing. Unity of the Pack you understand."
"Of course." Jupiter said dryly.
"Good." Shingay held up a large knife. "I'll make it quick."
"Thanks for being so considerate." Jupiter sneered.
"You're quite welcome." Shingay raised the knife.
"Stop!" Rang out a woman's voice. Shingay froze.
"Mistress?" He asked.
"This mortal's bravery hast impressed me." Said the voice. "Tis no small feat
to gain entry into a Sanctum. I offer you a place in the Pack Lady Lita
Makoto Kino of Jupiter, provided, you pass a test." For a few moments Jupiter
was tongue tied.
"What kind of test?" She asked, finally finding her voice.
"Thou hast proven thy bravery by entering a Sanctum. Doubtless thou wouldst
have remained undiscovered hadst not one of my children heard the click of
thy camera's shutter. Then, when discovered, you prepared to fight, as
benefits a warrior."
"And when faced with death, I was prepared to meet it bravely?"
"Indeed. But thou hast died several times already, hast thou not?"
"It looses its ability to scare you after the first few times." She agreed.
"And it helps that I've seen the future."
"Yes. Crystal Tokyo."
"You know about that?"
"Of course. More then these weres, the people of the Moon Kingdom were my
children and I grieved when they fell to the wrath of Mettalia."
"But Sailor Moon will found Crystal Tokyo, recreating the Moon Kingdom here
on Earth." Jupiter pointed out, figuring that if the mysterious voice knew
her real name, giving away the future would do little harm.
"And in doing so, she will free me of the burden I have borne these many
centuries."
"Just who are you?" Jupiter demanded.
"You will know in due time Lady Jupiter. Shingay. Free her and select one
from amongst thy pack to meet her in single combat. If she wins, she is to be
welcomed into thy number, and counted as a Sister. Should she lose, I will
erase her memory of this night and thy secret willst be safe."
"As you wish Mistress." Shingay said as the ring lowered to the ground.
Stepping forward, he freed her with quick slashes of the knife. "Come with
me." He said, leading the way into the crowd which parted before them. "This
is the Arena." He said as they approached a large circle ringed by a low rise
of white marble quartz. Entering it, he turned to face the Pack.
"Since the Dawn of Time, we were, we who take the form of the wolf have
faithfully served the Lady Of The Moon and her sister, She Who Hunts. During
those many centuries, a human has joined us, whether as a Mate of a one of
our number, or because they have proven themselves worthy. This human," He
indicated Jupiter. "has proven her bravery by entering our sanctum and thus
has proven herself worthy of consideration. As tradition and Law demand, she
must prove herself by defeating one of us in single combat. Who will step
forward?" There was movement at the far end and a were stumbled into the ring.
"I. . ." He looked back into the crowd and a threatening growl was heard. "I
step forward. " He sighed.
"Very well." Shingay gestured them both to the center of the ring. First one
to leave the ring is defeated." The were stripped off his robe, revealing a
scrawny, thin body covered by black fur. Having no robe to remove, Jupiter
dropped into a fighting stance.
"Begin!" Shingay barked, and a gong sounded.
"What's your name?" Jupiter asked as they began to circle, looking for an
opening.
"Hiro. Please let me win, my Sire will be most unhappy with me if I lose." He
made an weak swipe with his claws, which she easily dodged.
"He pushed you into this huh?" Hiro nodded. "Tough break." She said, and
meant it.
"Does your father do the same thing?" He asked hopefully.
"Wouldn't know. He died a long time ago."
"I'm sorry."
"I survived." Jupiter shrugged. "But I came to far and risked an important
friendship to get here." She grinned. "And I never throw a fight." With that,
she leapt into the air and delivered a powerful, blisteringly fast spin kick
to Hiro's snout. With that, the battle was joined.
It would take to long to describe every blow, kick, and punch that was made
in the minutes that followed. Indeed, it would instead be perhaps more apt to
note that it did not take that long to figure out that Hiro was a weak
fighter. Indeed, she let the fight go on mainly out of sympathy, figuring
that if Hiro lost, it would at least look like he tried.
After about ten minutes, she figured that it had been long enough and
grabbing his arm, she used Judo to throw him out of the Arena.
"Commendable." Shingay said as the gong sounded once more. In his hands, he
held a pendant, laced with gold. Emblazoned on it was a row of symbols. "They
are ancient Greek runes. It means Wolf."
"Thank you." Jupiter said, taking the pendant. "I will treasure this-" She
broke off as a roar filled the air.
"No!" Came the roar again and a barrel chested were shoved his way through
the crowd. He was shorter then Shingay, more muscle then fat, froth flecked
the fur around his mouth and his eyes were full of madness.
"Rabies." She gasped, drawing back. A rabid dog was bad enough, a rabid were
was too horrible to contemplate.
"No." Shingay said sadly. "We are immune to rabies. His is a much different,
much worse disease."
"This is heresy!" He raged.
"The Lady Of The Moon decreed it Kanza." Shingay said.
"No!" Kanza raged. "No! It was not the Lady! The Lady would never permit it!
Humans have no place within the Pack!"
"We will discuss this in Council Kanza."
"No! Not in Council where you can brew your lies! Here! Out in the open
before the Pack! I challenge your right to lead!"
"You would spoil the welcoming of a Sister into the Pack with a Challenge
Kanza?"
"She is no Sister! She is a human!" Kanza cried, the foam spewing from his
mouth with each word.
"She is a child of the Lady, same as we are. I plead with you, brother, do
not do this!"
"I must! The Mistress demands it!" With that, Kanza charged at her howling
like a banshee. Jupiter's muscles tensed to react when suddenly, something
huge, black, and furry came between them, causing her to wince as the heavy
bodies slammed together.
"What are you doing Boy?" Kanza's voice raged. "This is the Lady's will!"
"No Father." Came Hiro's voice. "Your madness wills it. She is a member of
the Pack."
"She will never be a member so long as I live!"
"If that is your wish."
"So you have some spine after all." Kanza's voice sneered.
"I've always had spine Father." Hiro said. "I simply haven't chosen to show
it."
"Not after I rip it out." There was a roar and Hiro's Body fell backwards
against Jupiter. She pushed him back to his feet. There was sound of flesh
thudding against flesh then Hiro's back erupted in a spray of blood. Slowly,
he fell.
For a moment, Jupiter stared at Hiro's body where his throat had been. Then,
she raised her eyes to look at Kanza. The were stood, teeth bared. Clutched
in his hand, was what appeared to be a heart and some spine. Slowly, the
were's hand closed, blood seeping out between his fingers.
"Now." He said quietly. "For you. . .Sister."