Black Moon and Silence

Chapter - 2

Ranma and Neherenia sat in their apartment as Nabiki Tendo stood next to the television. Kaede Tanaka, Aiko Suzuki, and Miya Watanabe were also gathered in the room as well. Nabiki looked at her watch and said, “Now where is Cologne?”

The Amazon, who now looked to be in her 40's, seemingly appeared from nowhere and tapped her on the shoulder. Nabiki practically jumped and said, “Don't do that!”

Cologne just smiled and said, “You need more practice on your awareness girl. Especially if you're going to be our eyes and ears. After our practice sessions on Saturdays you need to stay with me for an extra hour and I think you should come here to see me one day during the week as well.”

The brown haired girl sighed and said, “Alright, alright, now let's start watching before we miss the segment.”

Nabiki turned the Television on and a pretty young lady was saying, “This is Takaya Misato reporting on the events that occurred jut three days ago in the Juuban district. Apparently the Sailor Moon and her allies went on a rampage again and we have just secured rights to show this footage...” the screen faded out and showed a very different scene.

In the scene could be seen the sailor senshi and team Nemesis fighting against the various Droids, Kodachi, Ryouga and the rest. The battle was going back and forth, then the camera focused up towards Sailor Moon. The focus stayed right on Sailor Moon as the girl took out a white crystal and held it high. Her outfit transformed into a bright white gown and white feathery wings grew on her back. Then, she raised the crystal up high and shouted. A bright white light flashed out and the screen went dark. The screen switched to a new image and this time it showed an empty street with Sailor Moon and her allies walking down the street and away from the wreckage of the Crystal that Wiseman had created. Then the screen switched back to the studio and Takaya's face was on again.

The reporter said, “Some people are still missing and presumed dead and others who were near the area have apparently had their lives entirely changed.”

The screen switched to a new images of students from Furinkan High. Each of them in turn told about changes that happened to Ukyou or Ryouga. The emphasis was on how changed they had become with a few mentions by some people Tatewaki Kunou had not returned to school. Then the interviews shifted to Juuban high school and students there as well. The focus was on the girls on the Gymnastics team who had also been changed by Sailor Moon's attack.

Finally the camera came back to Takaya again and the reporter said, “There we have it a strange attack from the girl called sailor moon and the devastation that it caused. Who is out there who can protect us? What will the police and authorities do about this menace?”

After a brief pause she said, “I'm not sure, but this final piece of footage shows that we may still have some hope.”

The scene on the television switched to that of Sailor Angerona being carried away by a woman with silver hair and reddish highlights. The two met up with some of the other fighters who had been seen previously fighting against the Drioids and the Senshi.

Takaya's face came back on the screen one more time and she said, “I have recently had the privilege to find out a bit more about the women you have just seen. These girls call themselves Team Nemesis and they have taken it upon themselves to stop the threats to our fair city, be those threats from people like Sailor Moon or be they other dangers that are out there. Upstanding citizens helping to protect us all. This is Takaya Misato reporting with the hope that they succeed.”

Nabiki turned off the Television and the room sat there in stunned silence for a few moments until Ranma said, “How did you do that?”

Nabiki smiled and said, “Well, Nemesis enterprises owns the rights to Sailor Angerona and the rest of Team Nemesis,” She paused and then said, “By the way, that means the rest of you will need to think up some names. Personally I'm just going to use Sailor Vesta.”

“Anyway,” Nabiki continued, “The CEO of Nemesis enterprises called the station and offered them first release of any and all battle footage for a fee and only as long as Team Nemesis is shown in a favorable light. Well the station execs jumped at the chance to upstage the other news stations and miss Takaya is a shameless self promoter who just wants the extra air time. So the deal was signed and you just saw the first results.”

“Very ingenious young one, but where did all that footage come from in the first place?”

Nabiki held up her yellow ball and said, “Well, I just plugged this into a video recorder and had it play back scenes from my own memory.”

Ranma looked at her with a frown and said, “Nabiki, did you do those interviews at Furinkan High and Juuban?”

Nabiki smirked and said, “Why Neko-chan of course I did,” a bit of sultriness came into her voice and she thrust out her chest a bit, “are you going to punish me?”

Ranma became flustered and said, “Er uh no, guess not. This was probably a good way to pay back Moon and the rest for what they have done without physically hurting them.” Ranma sighed.

Neherenia looked at her sister and said, “Also, if our battles do end up badly for them, this will give us some cover from the authorities.”

Nabiki smiled, “Well it seems that Neko-chan isn't the only one around here who learns quickly.” Then she walked over to the red haired girl, hugged her and whispered something in her ear. A few of the other girls in the room looked on with a bit of jealousy, then the hug was done and Nabiki said, “Anyway think of some names for yourselves girls and quick. I have a company lined up to produce some merchandise and it would be nice if people could collect the entire set of Team Nemesis.”

Nabiki left the apartment and Ranma said, “Why do I get the feeling that we have just created a monster?”

Mai spoke up and said, “I don't know Ranma, I think it might be neat to have an action figure.” The rest of the gymnasts nodded and Kaede said, “Just look at it this way. We need some extra money to do this stuff anyway and we aren't hurting anyone to get it.”

Ranma nodded in agreement and then said, “Alright, I guess that's it for tonight. I'll see you all in practice after class tomorrow.”

The gymnasts filed out of the saying their goodbyes leaving Ranma, Neherenia, and Cologne alone. The Amazon Matriarch waited a few moments and then said, “I think it is time that we began to study the book of Dim Mak a little more, don't you daughter?”

“I don't know, I'm thinking that the sailors might be immune from pressure points. I mean just look at that tux guy. He's only in a coma after the beating that Ryouga gave him and he certainly wasn't skilled like you and I are. They have to have some magical protection and if they do I doubt a pressure point, even one of the killing ones from that book will do much to them.”

“Mm...” Cologne thought om that idea and Neherenia said, “I think we should figure out a way to link our powers with Ranma's. After all the black moon family was using it and she was still a match for the Senshi, just think if we could combine the power of the magical balls with that of Nemesis we might be a match in power levels with most of the sailor senshi.”

“Yes,” the Amazon Matriarch said with a smile, “If we could do that and layer it on to our training, teamwork and skill we would certainly be read to face the senshi again, but,” The matriarch paused, “But, we must make sure that the crystal Moon as using has been broken and stays that way. If she were to reconstitute it or find something of equal power we would be in grave danger.”

“Great, we have a plan. So I say we should all get some sleep now, because tomorrow is going to be a busy day.” with that statement Ranma and the rest headed towards bed.

---

The next day, Akane was walking in to Furinkan high with a smile on her face. Her relationship with Shinnosuke was going much better than her previous relationship with Ranma and neither her father or Genma seemed to be harping as much about the joining of the schools. She stopped walking for a moment to wonder exactly why the two men would act like that, but her thoughts were interrupted by a voice nearby.

“Well hello there Akane Tendo. You are an interesting girl indeed, but 'm not sure if you have a pure heart. I think we should check don't you?”

“Kodachi,” Akane growled, “What are you doing here?”

Kodachi smiled and stepped closer to Akane, “Why Akane I'm here to see if you are worthy of my brother.” Kodachi turned her head and motioned with a hand then said, “Isn't that right brother dear?”

A twisted and misshapen black monster stepped out of hiding. It held up two black katana hands and just said, “Strike! Strike!”

Akane saw the creature and fear gripped her. She was frozen to the spot as Kodachi laughed maniacally and said, “Oh look brother she's terrified. Why don't you get closer and show her how much you still care?”

The Daimon that once was Kunou Tatewaki approached Akane and as it did she recovered her wits, but instead of running she treated the monster like she once would have treated young Tatewaki. She swung a powerful right cross directly at its face. Unfortunately for her the blow landed without effect. Moments after that the Daimon shoved a black katana hand into Akane's chest an pulled out a heart crystal.

Kodachi stepped forward and was about to look at the Crystal, when Shampoo smashed into the large Daimon and sent it reeling. “Shampoo not know what you have in you hand, but Shampoo think Akane needs it!”

The Creature recovered, held up its black Katana hands and stared at Shampoo saying, “Strike! Strike!”

Nearby another voice said, “You Harridan! Get her brother dear!”

Shampoo heard the voice, did a double take and looked at the creature again. “Stick boy? Is that you?” The creature attacked and Shampoo barely dodged out of the way. Then a black ray smashed into Shampoo's side. The girl went down and Kodachi smiled, “Now, Brother dear take her heart crystal as well and Ranma darling will have to choose me.”

A blue glow surrounded Shampoo and transformed her outfit into an pure blue Chinese fighting dress and healed the girl. As the daimon came closer the Amazon girl stood up dusted herself off , and jumped right over the thing's head. When she hit the other side she pulled out two pure blue Bonbori and attacked Kodachi.

The black haired girl was hit in the head by one of the Bonbori, but was able to send a blast back at Shampoo. The blast of energy was absorbed by the glowing Bonbori and Shampoo continued her attacks forcing Kodachi back.

The Daimon turned toward the battle and headed for Shampoo, but it was prevented form doing so when a flying kick slammed directly into its back and sent it to the ground. “Shampoo are you okay?”

The embattled girl didn't spare a look towards Ranma and continued trying to score a hit on Kodachi as she shouted, “Shampoo fine Airen, you fight Katana creature. Shampoo think it might be the Stick boy.”

Ranma looked down at the huge misshapen creature he was on and said, “This thing is Kunou?”

In a burst of energy the creature stood up and Ranma quickly dodged away as it shouted, “Strike! Strike!”

“Guess it is Kunou huh?” Ranma mused as he sped toward the creature and delivered a number of punches at Amaguriken speeds. Unfortunately for him the creature that Kunou had become was not so prone to being damaged as he would have thought. The creature seemed to absorb the attacks and sent numerous blows towards Ranma.

The young martial artist moved quickly to avoid the blows from the twin black katanas and slid himself around behind the creature. From that position he sent two quick snap kicks into the back of its knees and sent it to the ground. As it landed on the ground Ranma sent one more powerful kick directly into the back of the creature's head.

If the creature had been anything less than a daimon it would have been unconscious and out after that, but this was a magical construct created by evil power and a heart crystal. Even then Ranma might have been able to dodge the blow if he hadn't still had the idea in his mind that this thing was Kunou Tatewaki and thus not as dangerous as it actually was. So, the kick landed with minor affect and then the creature moved with a magically enhanced speed and a black katana slammed right into Ranma's side. Ranma tried to get away when that happened, but a second Katana went into his chest and pulled out a glowing heart crystal...

---

Nabiki had gotten to school early as usual. She was speaking with a few of the girls to see how they had reacted to the news the previous evening and discussing other business and the recent betting pools when she heard a commotion nearby. She quickly moved towards the area and saw Shampoo fighting Kodachi while Ranma was fighting a strange misshapen black creature.

Nabiki started to get students to move away and then found herself a spot to grab Vesta. Once she had the small yellow ball in her hand she used one of the communicators Neherenia had created in order to speak to the woman who had created the device. “Okay, it's me. We have some sort of issue here at Furinkan. Shampoo and Ranma seem to be fighting Kodachi and a weird black thing with two katanas that looks like Kunou.”

Nabiki saw Neherenia's image and the other woman said, “Ranma's at school, but Cologne and I are here we can be there quickly if you need us.”

Nabiki looked a t the small yellow ball in her hand and then said, “Well maybe Saotome and Shampoo can handle it.”

Moments after that Nabiki heard a Shampoo's voice scream in horror. Nabiki looked over and saw creature that was once Kunou standing over young Ranma's still form with a heart crystal on one of its katanas. Nabiki noted that Shampoo now had two opponents and that one of them was about to hit her with a black ribbon.

She called out to the Chinese girl, the Amazon avoided the attack and then was engaged in a melee with both the daimon and Kodachi. She cursed once and then said, “Get here quick Neherenia I'm going to see what I can do to help.”

Nabiki held Vesta in her hand and then imagined herself in a fighting outfit. The yellow ball glowed and then suddenly her school outfit was replaced by a pure yellow outfit and a motorcycle helmet. Inside the helmet Nabiki could see readouts and displays that showed power levels and energies, but she ignored them for the moment to look at herself and said, “I guess I shouldn't have been watching Kill Bill the other day.”

Then she just shook her head and walked towards the area where Shampoo was fighting with the daimon and Kodachi. As she came close her helmet was showing her readings that suggested that the heart crystals were a huge source of energy. She filed that thought away for the moment and concentrated on the battle in front of her.

Shampoo looked like she had taken some bumps in her fight with Kodachi, but now she seemed to be blocking the girls attacks with her glowing blue bonbori. At the same time she was able to dodge away from the daimon and when she did so the creature ran right into Kodachi. The two seemed to be getting in each other's way, but Nabiki saw that the situation would not stay that way. Sooner or later the two would start coordinating their attacks and Nabiki was pretty sure that despite Shampoo's skill she wouldn't be able to avoid both of them working together.

Nabiki sighed once and said, “Well Neko-chan I guess it's time to see if I've learned anything from you or not.” Then the young girl in a full yellow body suit ran right at the black daimon. As she ran she concentrated on the yellow sphere and a bright yellow light shown on her fist. She arrived at the battle and connected with a blow to the creature's back.

The magic of Vesta slammed into the daimon and went through it. The creature screamed in agony and fell to the ground with a hole in its back.

Kodachi was somewhat distracted by the Nabiki's surprise attack on her Daimon brother and with that distraction she was not able to avoid a glowing blue bonbori that connected with her skull sending her flying. Shampoo followed and continued her assault on the gymnast. Kodachi was unable to get a decent defense up, but as she was being pummeled she was able to twirl her ribbon around herself and then she was gone. Moments after that the daimon with a hole in its back disappeared as well leaving behind two glowing heart crystals.

Shampoo looked over to Nabiki and said, “Shampoo thank you yellow girl. You attack at just right time.”

Nabiki nodded and then picked up the heart crystals. She looked at them and then said, “Okay which one belongs to which?”

Shampoo approached and said, “Not sure I guess we see what happen when bring close okay yellow girl.”

Nabiki looked at Shampoo, raised her visor winked and then said, “Call me Vesta.”

Shampoo nodded and followed Nabiki as she walked over to Ranma with the heart crystals. As she came close one of them pulled at her hand and so she placed it onto Ranma's chest. When she did that the crystal merged into his body and Ranma woke up. Moments after that he was in Shampoo's lap. Nabiki looked at the girl sighed and just said, “Next time you should try a disguise okay.”

Shampoo barely registered Nabiki's comment, but the girl nodded as she ministered to Ranma. Nabiki then walked over to Akane and put her heart crystal on her chest. The youngest Tendo girl woke up soon afterwards, but by then the girl who called herself Vesta was gone and Nabiki Tendo was coming out of hiding to help her sister.

Soon after that Cologne walked over. The elderly Amazon looked to Nabiki and said, “Well perhaps you don't need as much training as I thought. In any case I must speak to my great granddaughter and then I must be going back to Juuban.”

“Wait..how long have you been here?”

Cologne just looked at Nabiki and said, “We were her long enough.” Then she was gone hopping from roof to roof with astonishing speed.

Nabiki just sighed and watched Cologne hop away and muttered, “You'd best appreciate what I do for you Neko-chan.”

---

Ranma heard the call during her classes, but when Neherenia and Cologne said they would handle it and so she decided to stay in school so as to avoid painful reminders that she should study more. Later that day she joined the gymnastics team for a brief practice. When it was over she went over to a small park to meet with her new friend.

Hotaru was sitting on a bench and waiting. When she saw Ranma come into the park she smiled saying, “Ranma you made it today!”

Ranma nodded, sat next to the girl on the bench, and said, “Yeah, I cut practice a bit shorter today so that I could come by and see you.”

The young girl stared at Ranma and said, “Really, just for me?”

“Yeah, I don't have that many friends and I wanted to make sure things were going well for you at school now.”

Hotaru giggled and said, “People still avoid me, but no ones been trying to bully me or saying bad things about me when I'm near. So I guess it's an improvement.”

Ranma shrugged and said, “Best I could do really, but I think it's a guarantee that none of the bullies will bother you again.” She paused for a moment, then said, “now what about your health. You mentioned being tired the last time we spoke.”

Hotaru looked pensive and then said, “I've always been this way, but recently it seems that I've been getting weaker, but Daddy says that the medicine he's making will help me get well soon.”

Ranma's innate distrust of father figures kicked in and she took note of that information, but didn't mention any suspicions to Hotaru. Then as she was about to say more she heard a voice nearby saying, “No really Kaede I saw her go this way.”

Another voice answered, “Are you sure Miya, I thought she went the other way.”

Ranma glanced toward the voices and as she did a third voice said, “She's right there and I don't think our mission went as planned.”

Ranma looked at Hotaru and said, “Sorry about that, but they are my team mates, probably just worried about me. You want me to introduce you to them?”

Hotaru nodded and Ranma motioned her team over. The three girls came over and Ranma said, “Hotaru, meet Kaede, Aiko, and Miya. They are on the gymnastics team with me.”

Hotaru smiled, but was unable to say anything as the girls gathered around and asked her questions about how she met Ranma, where she went to school, and more. It took a few moments, but Ranma finally realized that Hotaru was scooting closer to her and so she said, “Woah guys, take it easy there. Hotaru and I met in the park about a few days ago. I've been meeting her here after practice to talk and stuff since then.”

The small black haired girl nodded and said, “Ranma has been very nice to me,” she paused a moment and then said, “even though I am strange.”

Ranma just laughed and said, “Oh come on I showed you my ears and you think a wonderful power like that is strange?” Then she looked to her teammates and said, “What do you think girls? Hotaru here can heal people with a touch is that strange or is it awesome?”

Hotaru shrank back as Ranma said that, but then as Kaede, Aiko, and Miya all volunteered that healing was awesome she perked right up and smiled as the acceptance gave her a warm glow. After that she opened up and the group talked for some time.

Later Ranma and her teammates walked Hotaru home and bid her good night. A red haired woman opened the door and stared at the girls with contempt. “You should have been home earlier Hotaru, you know how your father worries about you.”

Hotaru rolled her eyes and said, “Yes, yes I know, but I was with Ranma-san and her friends they walked me home and everything. I didn't run or tire myself out.” She walked past the red haired woman after saying that, then turned back quickly and said, “I'll be waiting in the park again tomorrow Ranma-san.” Then the young black haired girl walked out of sight.

The red haired woman continued to stare at the girls with contempt and said, “Young Hotaru is not well. It would be best for her if you did not raise her hopes or ruin her treatment progress, indeed it would be best if you ceased your association entirely.” Then the door was closed and they were all left staring blankly for a few moments.

Kaede was the first to speak and she said, “What was that?”

Ranma scowled and then said, “I don't know, but I think we should look into this some more. That woman just reminds me of some people I knew who were not good,” Ranma thought for a moment and then started to walk away from the house motioning her friends to follow.

As the girls followed walking away with Ranma as she said, “Plus Hotaru mentioned that her father was making medicines for her, but she is getting weaker. Something here just sets all my instincts on high alert. So why don't we check up on it in our alternate identities later?”

The rest of the girls agreed and the group walked off with that plan in mind.

---

Earlier in a different room Usagi, Rei, Makoto, Minako, and Ami were watching the television with Artemis and Luna. The scene on the TV rewound as Luna pressed a button on the remote, then the reported said once again, “These girls call themselves Team Nemesis and they have taken it upon themselves to stop the threats to our fair city, be those threats from people like sailor Moon or be they other dangers that are out there. Upstanding citizens helping to protect us all. This is Takaya Misato reporting with the hope that they succeed.”

Rei grabbed the remote from Luna's paws and said, “No way! We're the good guys. They can't say that about us!”

Usagi cried as she said, “I don't want people to think I'm bad! It's not fair, why do we have to save the world and have people say mean things about us! Plus, Mamo-chan is still in the hospital!” She completely broke down after that. It took Minako, Makoto and Ami some time to even get her close to being coherent again.

When Usagi was finally coherent Luna said, “We must put a stop to this team Nemesis as well as these new Daimons that have been appearing. In addition there are those other new girls calling themselves Neptune and Uranus who showed up. This is not the time for tears, it is the time for action.”

Ami said, “But what action can we take. All we know is that these Daimons seem to be seeking heart crystals and the new sailors seem interested in finding an item that could be found in a special type of heart crystal, but I don' t know what type they are looking for.”

It was Artemis who said, “Pure heart crystals, that must be what they are looking for. If my memory is correct legends say that there exist three powerful talismans inside heart crystals that when joined will create a Grail. A powerful magical item that would be a match for the Ginzuishou.”

Usagi perked up when Artemis said that. She said, “Really a new Ginzuishou? How do we find it?”

The white cat shrugged and said, “I'm not sure.”

Ami said, “Maybe we should keep responding to any and all Daimon attacks. Surely these two new sailors will show up and want to see if a crystal has a talisman at those attacks.”

The girls spoke a bit more, but soon enough the meeting was over and they all went their separate ways.

Author's notes: I'm still slower on updating this than I would like. But life is intruding more than before so, I'm releasing it without a full and complete check on it, but I want to put something in. If I have made any large gaffes or anything please tell me.

Enjoy!