"This 'Sauron' and this 'Saruman' haven't been able to complete their possession of the wizard that summoned me," said Dars Flede the Mouse. "Mainly because the kid's managed to seal off part of hisself and his magic isn't completely compatible with theirs. Well, that and his health ain't up to one of them manifesting. If they did it'd burn him right out. So the two of them are looking for powerful enough hosts that they can possess them entirely, who've got enough darkness in 'em that one of the two can just move in."
Ami twitched as she thought of the possibilities.
"What's so bad about this?" Rei showed she didn't understand by making a fist and winking. "We've handled supernatural menaces before!"
Ami tried to cut everything down to the most basic difference between those two and menaces like Queen Beryl. "Saruman and Sauron are competent."
That caused Setsuna to swear something that sounded vile and Germanic.
"What, and you mean we haven't fought competent menaces before?" Makoto asked, beginning to get a little worried when she saw Setsuna FROWN.
"AAAAA!" Usagi had just noticed. "Setsuna is frowning!!!"
"OMIGAWD! WE'RE DOOMED!" Minako declared.
Rei held thumb and forefinger closely together. "Can you give me a little more detail, please, Ami?" After all, it can't be that bad, can it?
"Multiple universes. The concept behind them is that there are a nearly infinite number. If it can be concieved of, it exists - in another universe somewhere." Ami began working out the math on her computer, it was a comforting thing to lose yourself in the math. Unfortunately, she realized who she'd be explaining this to - and that most likely she'd lose her audience. "In the 1960s there were a set of three novels that basically defined and birthed the modern epic fantasy novel. Written by a linguist named JRR Tolkein, it chronicled a Lord of Evil named Sauron who forged a set of magic rings. Three for the elven kings, seven for the dwarf lords, nine for mortal men. And one more ring made in secret. One ring to rule them all, one ring to bind them, one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them."
"Rings?" Usagi asked, thinking of thin bands of gold with sparkly stones.
"Sauron was himself corrupted in an earlier age, but he managed to forge a kingdom, and set out the Rings as peace offerings to other kingdoms," Ami explained. "The other Rings were traps, those who wore them and used the powers of those Rings were brought under his control by means of the hidden One Ring. This is an enemy who understands operating in a subtle manner, through deception and corruption of those who would oppose him. He is also quite powerful. Saruman was once Saruman the White, a powerful wizard whose magic I'm guessing was similar to Usagi's. Sauron corrupted him completely and turned him against the other wizards - including a former friend named Gandalf."
The shadows seemed to have gotten deeper and darker in the room as Ami spoke. Rei swallowed nervously.
"So, if we got one of these rings, it would be a bad thing?" Usagi asked, wanting clarification.
"Very," responded Ami.
Setsuna looked pensive.
"What about these naz-hai minion thingies? Wimpy daimons, right?" Minako sounded hopeful.
"Originally they were the nine kings of mortal realms, twisted into undead puppets of Sauron's will," responded Ami. "They cannot be slain, though they can be hurt. Their blades carry a poison that can turn those struck by it into undead like themselves. Maybe Sailor Moon could finally end one's existence, but they can move fast and we'd need to immobilize one before it could be neutralized."
Setsuna spoke up for the first time since reacting to the comment about competence. "One, three, seven, nine. Numbers of power in ancient magic. That's why there are nine Senshi. Before the fall of the Kingdom they were assisted by Seven Knights of lesser power. The Earth Kingdom Generals killed them and I have seen no details of their reincarnation, save one. Endymion - the Rose Prince."
Minako, Makoto, and Ami brightened slightly at the thought of more allies. Even if Setsuna's tone had made it clear they were unlikely. Maybe when all this was over they could search for them?
Setsuna mused. "I will have to go to the Time Gates. This must be researched further."
The creature with the whip and the sword stepped over a bus and looked around for targets to slay. Perhaps from the vantage of that odd tower?
Ignoring the screaming insects and looking for a worthy target, the balrog climbed Tokyo Tower.
Perhaps it would have to settle for squishing these pathetic bugs after all.
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(Posted Fri, 31 Jan 2003 11:31)
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