Chapter 368
Sailor Moon's eyes widened. She stepped back.
"Do not fear Sailor Moon," one of them said.
"But you're...a monster.." Sailor Moon said.
"Sure, I am," the monster said. "But you are among friends."
"But you're all monsters," Sailor Moon said.
"Yes, well..we can't do much about that can we?"
"But what are you doing here? Who are you?"
"It is a long story, which we will tell you, but please come.." the monster said.
"Uh..I don't know..I..uh..lost all my friends I need to find them," Sailor Moon said.
"You look like you need to rest, you can do that here."
"I'm not sure I can, see I'm worried about them," Sailor Moon said pulling out her communicator.
"Anyone there?" she asked.
There was no answer.
"No..someone's got to be there," Sailor Moon said worriedly.
"Please me show me how I get out of here."
"We will..but please Sailor Moon, rest, besides, we have found another one of you humans, it might be a friend of yours."
"You have?" Sailor Moon said.
They headed into another room. Tuxedo Mask was laying on a makeshift bed.
"DARRIEN!" Sailor Moon said and hurried to his side.
"Oh hey," Tuxedo Mask said.
"Are you all right?"
"Broken leg they say."
"They say?"
"Well we found him before you," the monster said. "He was just as stubborn as you were, but we convinced him to rest. I'm afraid we have no food."
"No food? That's not fair," Sailor Moon said.
"Would you really want to eat down here?" Tuxedo Mask asked.
"I feel like I could, oh I'm so glad to see you."
"Me too," Sailor Moon said. "But what about the others?"
"I don't know, I fell down here like you did."
"Well if we survived, they must have too," Sailor Moon said.
"Yeah, probably."
"That leg should heal in no time, you've got healing powers," Sailor Moon said.
"Yeah I know." Tuxedo Mask said. "But it'll have to wait a while."
"I really have to go look for the others," Sailor Moon said.
"Sailor Moon we ask that you rest, you are exhausted," the leader of the monsters said.
"He's right," Tuxedo Mask said."
"Oh all right," Sailor Moon said.
"Excellent," the monster said. "We've prepared a place for you here."
"Oh..uh..thanks," Sailor Moon said and laid down on the makeshift bed.
She soon fell asleep.
"That doesn't surprise me," Tuxedo Mask said. "You were going to tell me just who you guys are."
"Yes, well, you see, ever since the silver millennium which I'm sure you're familiar with, there have been battles between monsters and scouts, of course between that thousand years, there was little fighting, but you see some of us survived the war, but without a leader we lost interest in the conquering aims of our masters, but we couldn't live above ground so down we went, and just hung out."
"Really? So you're descendants from the first invasion?"
"Yes, a tragic existence don't you think?"
"Yes, there must be something we can do for you, as soon as this was is over I'll see what I can do," Tuxedo Mask said.
"And what war is this?"
"An alien race has invaded, we don't know why, they've got a massive ship and an army after us."
"Really? I'm sorry to hear it. Has this happened often?"
"Well, we've had a lot of trouble lately."
"We hear little down here, we try not to get noticed by the outside world. So far we have succeeded."
"Yes, but this is a terrible existence, there must be something better."
"For us?"
"I'll see what I can do."
"I wouldn't trouble yourself."
"No it's alright. I'll do what I can," Tuxedo Mask said. "That's my vow."
"Well I thank you, but right now worry about your current problems."
"Trust me that's on my mind," Tuxedo Mask said. "Things are not going well."
"I see, well as soon as you have recovered we will lead you and your friend to the tunnels."
"Thank you, actually she's my fiancee."
"Your what?"
"We're engaged to be married."
"Oh...good for you."
"Say..just how many of you are there down here?"
"Several hundred, we've had a lot of time to reproduce."
"And do you all have special powers."
"Well..minor ones, I mean, we haven't wanted to make them that strong for fear we would be tempted to use them against humans. Fortunately no one has ever wished too."
"I see," Tuxedo Mask said. "It's extraordinary, a whole colony of you down here."
"Yes, well, we survive."
Sailor Moon woke up several hours later.
"I'm hungry," she moaned.
"We'll see what we can do about that," the monster said.
"Oh..thank you," she said.
"We'll send someone up to surface to find some food for you."
"You know what to look for?" Sailor Moon asked.
"We've come out on occasion."
"But you have to be careful, there's a war going on," Sailor Moon said.
"We know how to be discreet."
"Yeah and if you see any of the others please help them."
"We will of course."
"Thank you," Sailor Moon said.
The monsters headed out.
"Feeling better?" she asked Tuxedo Mask.
"Yeah, it's slowly mending up, this is a whole colony of the descendants of the invaders of Earth," Tuxedo Mask said.
"Is that a good thing?"
"Sure. They're all peaceful, we have nothing to worry about."
"Thank goodness, still it was quite a scare you know."
"I don't doubt it. I told them after the war we'd do what we could to help them out."
"That was nice of you, I'll help too, I don't know what we can do, but we can try.
Sailor Moon said.
"That's what I figured," Tuxedo Mask said. "So you feeling all right?"
"I'm worried about everyone. And the world."
"Me too."
"I should be back up there."
"You needed to rest, and besides you're not going to leave me are you?"
"No, I would never do that," Sailor Moon said sitting beside him. "But anyway..you should rest yourself."
"Oh I have been, I've been here longer than you have."
"Oh..how long was I out I wonder," Sailor Moon said.
"I couldn't tell you," her fiancee said. " I mean we don't think to wear watches into battle."
"So true," Sailor Moon said with a grin. "I guess this must mean that destiny is behind us."
"Destiny is always behind us," Tuxedo Mask said. "We just have to make sure we do what destiny can't."
"You're right," Sailor Moon said. "I hope they bring back some good food, if it's vegetables...now..of all times."
"You'll be fine I think," Tuxedo Mask said with a smile.
Later.
"Did you enjoy your meal?" the apparent leader of the underground creatures asked.
"Sure, as much as I could I guess," Sailor Moon said.
"Glad to hear it. I would like to show you something."
"Really? Well all right lead the way."
They walked down a small tunnel.
"Wow..this looks old," Sailor Moon said.
"It is, a thousand years old."
"Really?"
"Yes."
The two walked into a cavern and there Sailor Moon's eyes widened again.
"What's that?" she said.
"The royal palace of earth," the creature replied.
They were both looking at a massive stone structure resting comfortably into the dirt and mud of a cave.
"It sank when Earthquakes rocked the planet following Queen Beryl's ascension, and it came to rest here."
"Amazing," Sailor Moon said. "Have you been inside it?"
"It's where most of our people live."
"Oh..of course, that makes sense."
"The only reason we didn't move you there, is because it's a good walk and it is easy to get lost in if you don't know you're way around."
"Have you told Darrien about it?"
"Your companion you mean?"
"Sure, he used to be Prince Darrien you know."
"Oh, I see," the creature said.
"Sure was," Sailor Moon said.
"Then when he is well I will show him, but for now he must rest. I suggest you do that too, it seems like you will have a tough battle in front of you."
"You don't know how true that is," Sailor Moon said and sighed. "But I'm overexcited right now, I slept for a while didn't I? Why can't I meet some of your people?"
"Oh..you want to meet them, very well, come with me. We'll go and visit."
The monster headed along a path carved out in the rocks.
"Be careful," he said.
"Uh..right," Sailor Moon said following. "You might want to put in a railing or something."
"And where would we get a railing?"
"Oh..uh.."
"We're not about to steal one."
"Well I'll buy you one then, but we'll deal with that later," Sailor Moon said.
"You'll buy us a railing?"
"Yes, sure, kinda, if I mean...hmm..a fence would be easier."
"Oh a fence..that would be nice..."
"Yeah that'll work," Sailor Moon said.
They soon arrived at the palace and walked inside through window.
"This place was pretty nice," Sailor Moon said.
"We've tried to keep it up as best we can despite one thousand years of age."
"You've done a good job."
"Thank you, you're the only one who's been able to give us an honest appraisal in that long."
"Glad to be of service," Sailor Moon said. "I'm all about helping people."
"Oh? Is that your motto?"
"One of many," Sailor Moon said. "I can never decide on one."
"That's not a bad thing."
"Well I'm indecisive about a lot of things, that's why everyone wonders why I'm the leader even though I really am a great hero. It's complex though..."
"Oh..I see.."
"Well..anyway..where is everyone?"
"Probably in the main hall."
"The main hall..what do they do there?"
"Work..."
"Work?"
The two headed inside. The main hall while continuing to have the splendor it had, was now filled with makeshift workbenches. And on top of the benches, groups of the monsters were working with various things."
"We find garbage in dumps and elsewhere, and bring it down here, we clean it, and repair it, we have quite a collection after so many years."
"Really?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Oh yes," he said and stepped onto a balcony.
"Everyone!" he called. The acoustics of the room allowed everyone to hear. They all looked up.
"Meet Sailor Moon."
"Hello Sailor Moon!" they all shouted.
"Uh..hi," Sailor Moon said bit nervously.
"They're happy to see you."
"A little too happy if you ask me, I'm not that special."
"Well you're a guest and we treat you as one."
He headed down the steps. Sailor Moon followed.
"So what exactly do you clean this stuff with?" she asked.
"We do have access to clean water, just not here."
"Ah..sorry, I'm just not used to your way of life."
"It's an acquired taste."
"I'll bet. So this is what you do all day?"
"No this is just part of it, but we do this to keep occupied, at night we have celebrations. I guess it's easier for us, we don't need to eat you see, we have shelter, and so life is just lived, without other concerns. We just pass the time."
"Nothing wrong with that," Sailor Moon said.
"Hi.." A creature said floating near her. She immediately put aside her disgust at the creature's ugliness and smiled.
"Hello, you can float, I've always wished I could do that," she said.
"Really?"
"Yes, I always thought it would be neat."
"I can do more than float you know, I can fly too."
"Oh you can, will you show me?"
"Sure."
And he flew off.
"Tell me he's a child," Sailor Moon said.
"Sure is. Though it is hard to tell isn't it?"
"Uh huh, but hey I don't think I'll ever stop being a kid myself."
He nodded.
"So what'd you think?"
"Very nice," Sailor Moon said.
The kid smiled and floated off.
"We work on all sorts of things here, mainly things that humans could use if they had them. But we've been afraid to bring them up, or to somehow get them to those who need them, but we hoped one day there would be a way."
"There is now," Sailor Moon said.
"That's what I was hoping."
"Wow...you really do good work," Sailor Moon said looking over the various work being done.
"The trick is to scavenge spare parts. But we improvise too."
"I can see that," Sailor Moon said. "Why'd you decide to do this of all things, I mean, humanity's never given you anything?"
"Yes, that's true, but we realize that if we are ever going to be accepted we need to provide humanity with a good will gift."
"I guess you're right," Sailor Moon said. "I'm afraid we scare easily, but it's not our fault, we can't help it, and there are always those that take advantage."
"Yes, we've heard as such."
"Still it's a wonderful thing you're doing," Sailor Moon said. "But could I ask you for something?"
"What?"
"I need your help."
"Our help?" the creature said.
"Yes, you want to prove to humanity you're their friends, then fight with me, with us, the scouts, to defeat this enemy."
"But our fighting skill is limited."
"It's all right, but all of you know how to use your powers to work right?"
"Yes, we do, but they're not strong."
"That's all right, but we can use all the help we can get," Sailor Moon said. "You're powers could be a big surprise to our enemies."
"I will talk it over with everyone."
"I would really appreciate it."
"Then we will see what we can do."
"Thank you," Sailor Moon said.
Later that day. Sailor Moon was fast asleep again.
"Sailor Moon.." came a voice.
"What?" she asked.
"This is the Beryl, I am calling from the Moon."
"Oh...Beryl..what is it?"
"We must speak.."
"Why?"
"The world is in danger."
"I noticed."
"Yes...but..you see..you must use the silver crystal."
"The silver crystal, but I haven't had that for awhile," Sailor Moon said.
"Yes, that is because it's purpose was realized for the present, but now it is needed again, the silver crystal's powers must be realized to protect the world."
"But what? Why?"
"You must protect Tokyo."
"I..don't understand, isn't that what I'm doing?"
"You will understand soon enough."
"But...why can't you just tell me!"
"Because then I would not allow you the opportunity to grow, you must learn on your own."
"But I..oh phooey," Sailor Moon said.
"That's not ladylike," Beryl said.
"Well..I'm just a girl," Sailor Moon said.
"Farewell for now.."
"Wait..."
"Sorry..."
Sailor Moon woke up.
"You okay?" Tuxedo Mask asked standing over her.
"I had a strange dream. You're up..." she said in surprise.
"Yeah, my leg's healed."
"Oh good. We have to go then. Have you seen the palace?"
"They were just about to take me."
"I guess I'll come along then," Sailor Moon said.
"That'd be wonderful," Tuxedo Mask said.
They were soon headed along the path again.
"I'm going to get them a fence."
"Good idea," Tuxedo Mask said. "Wow..it is beautiful even today. And to think I used to live here."
"I saw your room, it's a closet now," Sailor Moon said.
"It is?" Tuxedo Mask in a rare moment of surprise.
"No, they preserved it," Sailor Moon said with a smile.
"Well you're teasing me, I guess that's a good sign," Tuxedo Mask said.
They were soon heading towards the main hall.
"Everyone turned out to see you off."
They walked in.
"I've stood up here before," Tuxedo Mask said. "But..wow.."
"Sailor Moon..Tuxedo Mask. We hope you enjoyed your stay here."
"We appreciate your hospitality," Sailor Moon said.
"And now..we will aid you again, because it seems like the right thing to do, we will go to the surface and help you fight off your enemies."
"Thank you," Sailor Moon said. "You don't know what this means to me."
"We can guess," The group said.
"Besides, to be honest, our fighting instincts have not entirely disappeared. Though we'd prefer to fight for Earth then against it."
"That's good to hear," Tuxedo Mask said.
"We can head for the surface whenever you wish."
"I want to look for my friends," Sailor Moon said.
"Then that is what we will do."
"Thank you," Sailor Moon said.
"No, thank you Sailor Moon for giving us hope and not being afraid."
"I was afraid, but I've learned to live with fear, because I know that sometimes I can be wrong."
"Well said," Tuxedo Mask said.
"But thank you all. I really do need your help. We don't even know what our enemy's face looks like. All we know is they're up to no good, and we have to stop them, because that's what heroes do and all of you today by coming forward to help are heroes."
"You're too kind, but let's get going, we shouldn't keep your friends
waiting."
The group was soon headed up a stone passageway.
"We carved this out to make it easier, we'll be at the sewer in no time."
Sailor Moon nodded.
"Amazing the people you meet in the strangest places ey?" the monster said.
"Yeah," Sailor Moon said. "I needed the rest, I just hope everything's all right topside."
"I guess we have been gone for a little while," Tuxedo Mask said.
"But now I'm ready and we've got an army of our own," Sailor Moon said.
"That's right," Tuxedo Mask said. "I just hope the other scouts are okay."
"You know them..they hang in there. Hey maybe they've already taken care of the ship and it's peace again."
"I don't think we'd be that lucky," Tuxedo Mask said.
"So how big is this ship?"
"Huge," Sailor Moon said.
"It's as large as the city itself," Tuxedo Mask said.
"That's what I meant to say," Sailor Moon said slightly embarrassed at the simplicity of her answer.
"Ah..then we have a challenge," the monster said.
Sailor Moon started laughing.
"That is putting it so mildly," she said and then laughed some more.
"Amazing, your sense of humor overcomes all boundaries."
"I guess it's the way I am," Sailor Moon said.
"That's why I'm going to marry her," Tuxedo Mask said.
"And you're all invited to the ceremony!" Sailor Moon said.
The crowd roared.
"That should be something huh," Sailor Moon said. "But who will be the best man...and the bridesmaids..I don't think the girls would like that..or maybe they would..."
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Tuxedo Mask said.
"Yeah you're right," Sailor Moon said. "Let's just go!"
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