The meeting had stalled, for an understandable reason. Once news had reached them about sightings of Lycanthropes in the Middle East, Setsuna had left to check on the situation using the Gate of Time. Meanwhile, the others waited at the Hikawa shrine. Dr. Diggers, his wife, and Onoli were talking possible strategies. Mamoru and Rei were comforting a fretting Usagi. Makoto had retreated to the kitchen to take her mind off of things, which left Ranma and Shelia to suffer under Minako's enthusiastic questioning. Hotaru was playing tag with Chibi-Usa in the yard, (not that Usa had wanted to play tag, but she got drafted.) and the other Outers had been charged with keeping the younger senshi under control. The others were just milling around, waiting for the Senshi of Time's return.
Then Pluto walked in, and slumped down at the table, catching everyone's attention. "We... have a big problem."
"What's going on, Setsuna?" Usagi asked.
"Claudius has spread his forces across the world. People are panicking. Some are threatening to use nuclear response against the 'monsters.'"
Theo shook his head. "That wouldn't stop lycanthropes."
Brittany nodded. "But they could destroy most of the world if they try it."
"Yes." Pluto answered.
"So what do we do? Where do we strike first?" Haruka asked, ready for some action.
"We can't just strike at any of the incursions. If we do, Claudius' forces will just entrench themselves in their other holdings. Trying to take them on once they do that will be... much harder."
"Then what can we do?" Ranma asked with a frown.
Pluto sighed again. "Purification."
This caused all the senshi present to gasp. "I thought that wouldn't come for... a long time yet." Usagi said in a small voice.
"It changed once we all became were-creatures, Usagi."
Theo frowned. "I take it you don't just mean what Usagi has been doing in the past, like what she did with that doctor... do you?"
Pluto shook her head. "I mean the world this time. Which would turn everyone into a lycanthrope."
"Everyone?!"
Pluto nodded again.
"Surely there is another choice!"
"I'm afraid not, Dr. Diggers. Even if we could just purify those inflicted... we can't undo what has been done to them. And it would eventually lead to a war between Humanity and Lycanthropy. The only option for peace... is to turn eveyone into a Were."
"No other way?"
"None that would not lead to a war that would spread across the world and last several generations."
Theo just frowned.
Usagi stood. "What do I need to do?"
Pluto shook her head. "Not right away. You need more than just the Silver Crystal if you want to survive this."
"So what do we need?"
"Mamoru will need to contact Helios and claim the Golden Crystal. We will need all the talismans, and all the senshi - which means Ami too. Finally, we will need the Chromatic Orb."
The Senshi blinked. "Chromatic Orb? I don't know that one..." Minako said.
"It was a special crystal orb created in the Silver Millennium, that could amplify and focus magic energy."
"And do you know where it is?"
"Yes... in general. But you won't like it. You see... the last person to hold the Orb... was Queen Beryl. The Orb is still within what is left of the Dark Kingdom."
All the inner senshi stiffened at the mention of the Dark Kingdom.
"There is another problem. This ritual will be very... delicate. We can not afford to have someone like Claudius or Gothwrain interfere. It would not be hard for either of them to corrupt the ritual, and in turn make the world their plaything on a single strike." She turned to address Onoli. "We will be counting on your team to protect us while we complete the purification."
Onoli nodded in response.
Pluto stood up. "We must hurry. Someone needs to talk to Ami, we can't do this without her. Mamoru needs to get the Golden Crystal. And I myself have an... errand I need to run. Prepare yourselves... we will need to leave tonight."
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(Posted Tue, 14 Feb 2006 02:41)
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