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“You weren’t glowing last time I saw you.”

The voice was familiar probably- even after all the time that had passed. It was tired, but casual, perhaps too familiar.

The aura of god power that accompanied it was oppressive as ever. The faint smell of smoke still clinging to his greatcoat.

“Hello Corvus, what have I missed?” General King Zinkenite blinked tiredly at the transcended senshi, perched at the edge of a fountain, legs crossed before him and supported on one arm, the other trailing fingers lightly in the cool water.


-----

Sailor Corvus had taken to the city that evening after her shift at the Paw. The air of late night (early morning?) was cooler than it had been in previous weeks, sign that a front of some sort was about to move through Destiny City, no doubt. It was a good night to be out; a good night to feel alive.

When she’d felt the looming presence of Chaos she missed a step, stumbling as she called to hand her senshi phone. Within seconds she could have half a dozen others assembled; senshi ranked from basic to eternal, pages and knights, whoever would answer a call to arms. It was a gut reaction; a trigger happy one, born of Vengeance and ready to fight.

In the end, the only call that she placed was to a Mauvian. Her Mauvian. “Eta, if you could please zero in on my location and meet me. I know it’s late, but I might need an escort home this evening and I’d rather not alert the others.” She ‘pocketed’ her phone after that, tucking it neatly down the front of her bodice before continuing along the path leading past the fountain.

The voice that greeted her, nevermind the presence, was one that she’d heard often in her dreams. Clawing and coaxing, he’d been the one to nearly break her once. Another time he’d tried to convince her to come willingly. This time? This time, she was her own, carrying herself with a confidence every bit as bold and beautiful as she was. She should be afraid… But she wasn’t.

“Do you like it? I’ve tried to wear the markings with confidence-- a bit hard when one’s gotten more used to blending in with the night, but... “ The Senshi of Vengeance shook her head slowly, shoulders lifting in a light shrug that ruffled the feathers settled along her shoulders. “Five years is a long time to go without saying ‘hello’, General King.”

-----

“You don’t call, you don’t write…” he waved the hand that had been trailing in the fountain, a spray of water droplets catching the light and glinting for a moment like stars before gravity overtook them and they fell to earth.

“You are, I will admit, positively radiant.” He added with the familiar dry edge to his voice- unchanged by whatever had drawn him away for so long.

“ I suppose without me here to talk sense into you, you found other things to do with the side of so called ‘Order’” He tipped his head to the side taking in the glowing patterns.

“So glad to see things have been kept under control here.” He added with more than a little sarcasm putting a further edge to his words and chasing them with a tired sigh.

——-

“Always such a charmer. I’m afraid flattery will get you nowhere.” The slightest trace of a smirk touched her lips. If there was a smile creeping behind it the expression never reached her eyes. Warriness lingered, not without reason, yet she was willing to talk for the sake of the past.


“It’s hard to call or write when you’ve left me with no number or forwarding address. It’s not as though my communication device can reach out to connect with yours. I’ve never really understood how those little crystals work anyways. Who is your service provider?” Her brow lofted, eyes drifting over the General King. The years had been kind enough on the surface, yet there was an underlying weariness that spoke of something that she could not quite put a finger on.

“If I’ve found anything over the years it’s the confidence to believe in what I stand for. I still make no claims to speak for Order.” She doubted they would want her to be their speaker. She was still far too opinionated-- she always had been.

-----

“If I had any idea how the crystals worked,I am quite sure that I would be currently assigned to tech support or some similar occupation. Thankfully,they seem to have upgraded to something a little less mystical. We shall perhaps leave the magic and mysticism to Senshi for a while longer.”

He stretched, arms reaching out behind him for a moment, a soft groan and then stood. The motion remained unthreatening. He made no motion to attack, and that at least might be the most familiar to how he had acted so many years ago.

“It seems the more I see, the more questions I have. Glowing Senshi? Is this some new way to illustrate your ultimately alien nature?” He offered a hand, clearly intending to take her own.

“Do you mind if I look? You don’t… feel more powerful, at least not as best I remember, but you do feel, different. I like to think I have a fairly good memory but that’s only so helpful it seems.”

He made a small discontented sound in his throat, the thought that had distracted him, flickering unconcealed through his eyes, readable even with the mask that obscured the lower half of his face.

-----

“By all means. I don’t think there’s any information you can gain to your advantage just by looking.” There wasn’t enough information in what little records the Order side had gathered that she’d been able to gather additional knowledge of her own. The gently glowing markings didn’t suddenly grant her answers, but communicating with others had… To a small extent.

The Senshi of Vengeance extended her hand in front of her, bringing the other up to gently peel her glove down away from her skin. The action exposed additional marks just beneath the fabric, ones that were much easier to let the General King observe than those on her neck and shoulders. The markings gently curled along her skin,shining a pale silvery blue in the night.

“Calling power from the stars doesn’t make us alien any more than it makes you one. Beneath all of the Chaos you’re not so different.” Every Negaverse officer was a knight, or had the potential to be one. Surely he knew that he had the ability to tap into power that came from the extended universe as well, not just Metallia.

“We’ve never been all that different.”

-----

His eyes flicked up to her own for a moment, icy blue chips, pale and eerie. He snorted, a brief exhalation of air and skepticism.

“Well, isn’t that a clever way to set hooks into our lieutenants and the like, suggesting we’re all naturally on the same side rather than assume we are what we are, two seperate things, able of pulling one and other across some line in the proverbial sand. I know where my power comes from.” He shook his head.

“It’s nothing so out of reach.”

All the same he brought his hand up gently beneath her own, soft fabric and bare fingers lightly touching skin as he drew her arm a little more forward to gaze at the glowing patterns.

Despite the skepticism from a moment before there was a hunger in his eyes as he traced the patterns. “Are they, words?”

The question is carried with a frown and his free hand runs just beside one pattern, tickling perhaps but never venturing directly onto any one of the glowing marks.

“I have seen marks like that only once, but not -like- this. Perhaps you know whom I refer to. Perhaps not. What will you tell me about them? I’ll consider a barter.”

—-

“If they’re words they’re not written in a language that I understand.” It was possible they were remnants of a language long lost-- the language of her people, perhaps? Or was it an Earth language that she’d yet to discover? One day she would delve deeper into the secrets. One day…

“I’m afraid there isn’t much that I can tell you about them, much to our mutual dismay I’m sure.Oddities such as this have popped up on a few of us here and there-- knights and senshi alike. They’re the sign of a bond between us and the stars. Or planets. Heavenly bodies?” The lightest trace of a smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth. That he didn’t venture to touch the marks brought her a feeling of something. Amusement? Yes, it was probably something close to that.

“It’s a commitment. A promise. I’ve vowed to use the power that I’ve been given to stand for a certain cause and Corvus has granted me its protection in return…” That was the best she could explain what she knew of Transcendence without giving away the events of night it had happened. She wouldn’t tell him of the Captain and his beast that had almost bested her for her arrogance.

“Your power, that which makes you General King Zinkenite, comes from Chaos. You draw it on and wrap yourself in it every time you pull the magic to you to power up. Without that Chaos each Negaverse office is something else, a part of something more. Do you mean to tell me you’re not at all curious as to what kind of Knight you are beneath the shadows?”

-----

A scowl came and went, creasing the space between his brows and crows feet flashing for a moment beside his eyes. A clear enough expression despite the mask.

“I’m no knight.” He said firmly, shaking his head. “Though I’m sure, did I ever consider such a course, you’d find some place for me in your ranks much the same way we have a place for each of you that choose to join our own ranks.”

He held her hand for those moments as he spoke, before releasing it perhaps abruptly, and sitting back down again, dusting his hands against each other as though to clear them of dust or a strange sensation.

“I’m well aware of the source of my power, I’m… as intimately familiar with it as any.” He glanced away, affecting boredom.

“We officers were here long before your knights appeared, you started ‘saving’ us, and now you have knights. And now here you are, trying to tell me that the chicken came before the egg. I think the common statement is that chickens aren’t the only thing that can lay eggs.” He shook his head and made a dismissive gesture.

“I should have brought tea. Then at least you could try and convince me of my secret knighthood with something refreshing in hand. Or at least tell me what I’ve missed since I’ve been, away.”

-----

“The next time we meet I’ll be certain to have tea with me-- biscuits as well if you’ve a favorite type that you’ll let me be privy to.” Amusement lingered on her lips, the corners of her mouth curved up with a gentle quirk. When she’d first met him he was but a General and he had frightened her, even as he’d made tempting promises to take away her pain. Now, as a General King, she should fear him more, and yet she found herself at an oddly calming peace.

“I don’t know if we’ve time to cover everything you might have missed in the years that have passed since our last meeting, General King. Darkness as overwhelming as the aura about you is bound to draw attention; others will feel your presence sooner or later.” Did she wish to continue the conversation? Certainly. It had been nearly five years since their last parley. So much had happened in that time, enough to make it seem like a small eternity, and yet…

“The whole world changes while we sleep, Zinkenite. What matters is what we do with it when we’re awake.”

-----

A sharp glance at her before an affected measure of glancing casually away at the city lights.

‘To sleep, perchance to dream.” He murmured. “Historically, you and yours appear in a place rather as though you’ve all been woken from a sleep, I can make good my departure should you choose to be ‘rowdy’. He said and swept a hand through his hair.

“After all, it’s just you and… your, cat?” He tipped his head and glanced back at her arching eyebrows. “Small surprise if it is, as cats are very fond of birds.”

He rubbed at the back of one hand and added casually. “Less fond of me, historically speaking.”

He let out a breath.

“Seeing as I can hardly invite you somewhere civilised to discuss things, I’ll admit a growing fondness for lemon, I’ll provide the beverages if you care to brandy about the baked goods.”

Corvus was going to be furious with her. The Senshi of Vengeance had specifically requested that she tell no one else of her call for assistance-- that she not alert other members of their team. Generally the silver tabby would have heeded her request. Generally the request was due to something or someone small.

The request had never been due to a General King.

The aura of Chaos surrounding him was so strong that it was almost unbearable. It made her skin crawl beneath the sheen of silky fur. It was wrong, all the more so because there Corvus stood talking to him.

Eta had remained low to the ground, ears back and hackles raised while reaching out to Arsinoe, hoping that the Senshi of Lanterns would provide the type of back up and sense of reason that her charge was in obvious need of.

-----

"We don't all stumble through the night as though we belong elsewhere. We..." Corvus sighed, shoulders dropping in disappointment, at least a little bit in frustration. Eta had either directly ignored her request to not alert anyone, specifically the more volatile members of their team, or Arsinoe had followed the aura of darkness on her own just as she had-- just as any others could with an aura as large as that of a General King, truthfully.

"I'm afraid time is up for us, General King." Her words were muttered softly as she tried her best not to visibly grimace at the stern bite of her name coming from her cousin. This was not something that Arsinoe would understand. Parley with the enemy was not something that the Senshi of Lanterns did.

"I didn't know you were planning on patrolling tonight, Arsinoe. Nice night, isn't it?"

The Senshi of Lanterns did, at least, take not that there was no signs of battle and for the moment the General King did not appear to be a threat. At least no more threat than just his presence implied. Corvus and Mag Mell's habit of chitchatting with the enemy like they weren't dangerous was going to put him in an early grave at this rate. That was something he'd come to live with. This though was a step too far.

"I wasn't. I was trying to cook dinner." He stopped by his cousin and wrapped a hand loosely around her wrist. Not a threat, and not demanding, but firm. "We're leaving. Now."

He tried to ignore Zinkenite's words, the mention of the glowing marks now on his skin, but it was hard to do and he looked over at the General King. He had no idea how Corvus could stand the feeling of his power, his own skin crawling being so close.

"We don't need a special senshi to summon others, we can all do it on our own and I can have quite a few more here in short order if you try anything." He had no intention of giving Zinkenite any information about his Transcendence. The last thing he needed was the Negaverse knowing more about them than they already did.

Patrols were something the younger, newer, less senior members did...those who had been around for so long did other things...had lives. At least that was as far as the General figured it. he didn't go out and patrol as often as he once had, he had other things on his plate. He did get stretch, pop his back, and yawn as he awoken from the slumber of being Alexandre Evans and he became General Benitoite. It was an old and familiar feeling, something more powerful than his civilian side, but it felt old and worn about the edges...like he'd been at it long enough he didn't need to do patrols...that it was for children.

Tonight he'd gone out, with Katya held against his chest, the mauviavn tucked up close providing warmth where the cold n** of September, and fall, robbed him of precious heat. At his small, petite, stature bodyheat and him were not friends. he tended to get cold rather easily, it was why he'd already brought two more blankets out onto his and Aiden's bed. The warmth they offered was a blessing which he enjoyed.

While hopping from roof top to roof top he stopped as a large signature slammed into his own senses. "Well..someones come out to play...." Smiling down at the Russian blue in his arms he leaned down, gently nuzzling the top of her head. "Let's go see what's going on..." Smiling, not even needing to hear what Katya said, he headed towards the signature, taking note of others as well. "A party perhaps..." And no gift to bring - a shame.

When he did arrive, walking on the ground at this point, he set Katya down so the corrupted kitty could trot ahead of him. His hands, gloves, tucked into his pockets in order to ward of some more of the cold. "A party...and I wasn't invited?" He questioned, pouting just a bit towards his own General King. "I would have brought gifts...refreshments perhaps..." He added with a smile. "Instead it's just me and Katya." Motioning to the cat, a rather quick gesture before his hand was back inside the pocket. Maybe it was time to get heat packs for his pockets....


Her poor human was always so cold, especially when the weather turned to fall, he'd start to shiver in his uniform. Something he tried his best to hide, and ward off, by winter time he'd have a heavy coat over his uniform, he did it every year, but tonight he hadn't bundled up enough. She could feel the shivering under the layers of fabric - like a humming bird he felt at times. But she did her best to keep him warm, nuzzling against him and kneading the heavy fabrics he wore. She heard his words, felt his cuddle, and purred in response. "Yesss...I like this idea." She didn't know, and didn't care really, if he heard her. She liked his idea - it was lovely.

When her General finally landed on the ground she was tempted, very tempted indeed, to remain held tight to his chest. He was still cold, she could feel it, but she knew he would let her have her freedom and keep from showing how cold he was. He would play it off as casual when it was keeping himself warm...keeping himself as closed in position wise as possible, rather than a more open posture. She was used to it...she knew it.

"Well, I'd say I more than make up for anything else you could have brought to this gathering." She commented back, tail flickering behind her, as she approached the General King. Her General had mentioned him the evening before, right before he'd gone to bed, it was so nice to finally lay eyes on this General king who was returned to them.

Zinkenite tensed, drawing himself up ever so slightly at the first voice to join them. A small sound in his throat was ambiguous, giving away nothing to say how he felt about a general appearing, and… a cat. He glanced at the cat in the mans arms but said nothing in particular, just arched an eyebrow at her attitude of being the best thing to bring

One cat to each side then. He already disliked the number of them.

Castor… wonderful, more… proactive than he was accustomed to. But interesting to note some of the changes.

“Well, Corvus,” He said, choosing to ignore the prince, and address the Senshi whom he had first stopped to speak to.
“It does at least look like you have the attention of more than I hoped already. I suppose it makes sense that little birds of black wings, would flock to a sensei whom bears your particular name.”

“I don’t suppose ANY of you brought tea to this little party, I know if it’s too hot, that at least one of you will be more than happy to supply the ice.”

"Woah.

Syrtis was in the middle of a back-flip, dodging the quarters that Vulcan was throwing at him with all her might, when he first felt Zinkenite's power. A quarter pinged off one of his leather bracers. He skidded across the concrete roof on his hands, scraping his palms, and somersaulted into a sitting position to stare in the direction of the dark power.

"Vanessa, what is that?"

"Could be a big battle." Out of the corner of his eye Syrtis saw his sister's hands ball into fists. "Or bait."

"You think its a trap?"

Vulcan's eyes narrowed into the distance, hair like dark fire whipping around her face. And then her gaze flickered over to him. She grinned. "Won't know unless we check it out, will we?"

He grinned back at her, joy swelling like a balloon in his chest because something cool was happening and she wasn't being such a ridiculous big sister about it -

"Stay behind me. Let's move."

WELL. At least they were going.

It took ten minutes for the Mars Page Syrtis and Sailor Vulcan to land. Vulcan hit the ground first, Syrtis right behind her. When they both stood up to their full heights he filled out the space behind her like a shadow at dusk. He was almost a foot taller than his sister and had grown to be twice as wide. Syrtis could see clean over her head. Felt a little silly standing in the back, though he knew his muscle wasn't really hidden.

"What's going on?" Vulcan wanted to know. She took in the number of Senshi that had gathered, and pointed from Zinkenite to Benitoite to Stibnite. "You're outnumbered."

Syrtis crossed his arms over his chest. "Why isn't anyone fighting?"

Cavansite patrolled often now. It was so much easier to be out and be powered. So much easier to take energy and starseeds and her productivity had more than doubled since Axenite’s gift.

She was out again, looking dispassionately at the fallen civilian, the softly glowing starseed in her hand when she felt it. A large commotion nearby. First there was the power of a General King, and then another large power erupted, a large, uncomfortable order power.

Quickly, the General stuffed the starseed into her subspace pocket and teleported to the area at once, eyes narrowing as she saw nobody that she recognized, well. Nobody but the one senshi, the one she had nearly taken the starseed from and—

Her eyes glazed for the slightest moment and she moved to stand behind the General King, her light purple eyes landing on Corvus, narrowing in distaste.
“What are your orders, General King?” Her voice was flat and a moment later, her spear was in her hands, eyes raking the rest of the group of white moon filth.

"Yes really." he snapped. "You are Mag Mell are going to send me to an early grave it you both keep doing this s**t. I don't care what good intentions you both have. It's going to get you killed." It wasn't an if, not as far as he saw things. It was a when. He understood some of them could be saved but that was still no excuse to do something like this.

He didn't pull on her arm any more but he was not going to let go and he was not please as he felt more and more energy signatures starting to appear. They were going to draw attention and not all of it was going to be good. The more of them that appeared the close to something breaking out things got.

It got even closer when he saw a flash if white near him and looked over to see a familiar form

Castor

When the blond senshi spoke up Arsinoe rolled his eyes. "You've only missed half of everything." He didn't really care if Castor heard him, he didn't really have much respect for the royal senshi anymore.

"Corvus, we need to leave before this gets out of hand. We're not prepared to deal with this."