An Olmec jadeite fragmentary figure. From Mexico, Middle Formative period (900–300 BCE), now housed at the Dumbarton Oaks museum in Washington, D.C. The work demonstrates the Olmec artisans' exceptional skill in working with hard stones such as jade, which was highly valued for its rarity and toughness.
The Olmec civilization, often regarded as Mesoamerica’s "mother culture," thrived from around 1500 BCE to 400 BCE, influencing later civilizations like the Maya and Aztec. Olmec art is notable for its use of materials such as jade, basalt, and ceramics. Artworks typically featured religious or political symbolism, including depictions of rulers, deities, and mythological creatures. The faces in Olmec art, such as this one, are often characterized by strong, naturalistic features, which some scholars believe may reflect the Olmecs' reverence for their leaders, who were considered semi-divine.
"Jadeite, eastern commander, I am giving you the task of finding the great youma." The familiar red-haired woman decreed.
She noticed that the person the woman was speaking to was the same boy she had seen in her visions; he was strangely familiar, he had piercing blue eyes, reminding her of someone she knew. He was wearing a dark greyish navy uniform, with a brighter blue for accents.
He was stoic, only nodding in silent agreement to the red-haired woman's orders.
A different voice belonged to a similarly suited man with longer, darker hair.
"My Queen, I humbly request that you give the task of reawakening the great youma to me, as I am more experienced than Jadeite and have been in your ranks for a longer period."
He spoke. To his proposal, the queen shook her head.
"No, Nephrite, while I appreciate the suggestion, I want this to be a trial for Jadeite to officially join our ranks, though you may assist him if you are concerned. "
The queen spoke, firm in her stance.
That was all she could see in the sacred fire before the vision faded away.
Rei sighed. This vision was one among many that came to her in recent times, perhaps it had something to do with the recent disappearances.
The flames of the sacred fire bellowed as the vision came to an end. She needed to prepare some wards just in case.
The morning's vision weighed heavily on her mind, and it was becoming harder to perform her duties as a Miko. Luckily for her, she wasn't the only one who was helping her grandpa maintain the shrine.
Junpei Suzuki was the boy her grandpa had hired to help around the shrine. At first glance, you could call him stoic, but in reality, he was a very anxious person, with a good head on his shoulders.
Rei trusted him with the shrine, even though she could have helped as much as she would have liked to, this morning. She made a mental note to help him out more in the afternoon, she would try her best at today to figure out what was causing all the disappearances.
"REI CHAAAN"
Rei heard a familiar voice.
"Mii-chan" she called back cheerfully, Miriko had always found a way to make her day better, with her antics.
"Rei chan, mama said I'm old enough to help out at the shrine now, I wanna help and become the bestest Miko."
"Aww Mii-chan, that's so sweet of you" Junpei voiced out from behind her.
"Thanks, Jun-Kun" an exited Miriko smiled at him
"Oi you heard her Junpei, you can’t slack off on job now, since Miri is here to help us." Rei joked
"Wouldn't dream of it, Miss Hino" He a salute, as if she'd called him to attention.
One thing about Junpei that managed to make her crack up with torrents of laughter was his monotone voice paired with his ridiculous sense of humour. It always brightened her day.
The day was a bit slower than expected, though to be honest Rei appreciated it, as much as she loved to have Miriko around she wouldn't want her to be overwhelmed by helping them. The usual chore of cleaning the shrine was a bit livelier, thanks to Miriko, admittedly it was fun to practice kagura in front of an audience, even if they were only two, and slowly but surely throughout the day the shrine gained more fists all though, their numbers were still meagre compared to the previous visits around this month, perhaps things would fall into place on weekdays.
Usagi was never a morning person, especially after the night of the full moon, it was a ritual of sorts that she had since she could remember just staring up at the moon, looking for something though she didn't know what, at least it was the weekend, otherwise she would have been super late, still now she wondered if it has to do with being a sailor guardian.
''Usagi'' Luna's voice came from the window sill. ''You need to see this'' Luna passed her a poster, of a missing girl that looked to be around her age.
''Luna, why are you giving me this'' she said, now fully awake.
"Usagi, this is clearly the work of the enemy, I just didn't think they would have taken it this far" Luna was worried, her tail was straight and her ears were flat
"We need to meet with Ami, at the arcade, hurry there's no time to waste" Luna said solemnly before leaping off of the window.
"Mom, I going to the arcade, I'll be home soon" Usagi said as she clambered down the stairs.
"Alright be careful, don't be out late"
As she walked toward the arcade Usagi saw them missing posters dozens upon dozens of them, she quickened her pace, those poor girls, this must have been what Luna was talking about but still how could someone do this, how could they live with themselves.
She saw Ami in the arcade, and quickly ran up to her, thankfully there wasn't anyone else in the arcade
"Ami-Chan did you see the posters" she said hurriedly.
"Yes, Usagi-Chan, I think I have an idea on why they are, but we can’t talk about that here. Luna, you said you prepared something for this right?"
Luna jumped on to the Sailor V machine, and the monitor quickly displayed researches and profiles of people she couldn't recognize.
"Usagi, Ami hand me your transformation pens"
Luna put their pen into slots in the machine, and the words GAME ENDLESS appear on the monitor, and they all dropped down into a large secret area.
"[W3LC0M3] to headquarters, Sailor [M00N] and Sailor [M3R(URY]" Usagi heard a voice echo through the room but there was no one other than, Luna, Ami and herself in the room
"Luna, of Silver Millennium reporting for duty, Boss"
"So, your Luna's superior, that's new I thought you were responsible of this whole thing, Luna" Ami inquired.
"As much as I would like to meet you physically, that is [N0T CURR3NTLY P0SS1BL3] please forgive this [S3TB@(K]"
"No problem I'm sure we can handle whatever comes our way, after all more teammates will be joining us" Usagi said enthusiastically.
"That is a good outlook to have Sailor [M00N], your [H0P3] is much [@PPR3(iAT3D] and you have a good intuition, it is time for you to meet the [TH1RD GU@RD1N M@R$]"
"Really are you sure we should involve another-"
"It is [T1M3] Luna"
"I... I see"
"Then we can't waste more [T1M3] you must go to...."
.
.
.
.
.
"[H1K@W@ SH1RN3]"
This didn't feel right, but if it meant saving the Hino's from the moon kingdom, he could do it, relax Jadeite this is fine, your fine. The Hino's will get to live in luxury, in the Obsidian Kingdom. Mister Hino could be a respected hero. Rei would live in luxury, they wouldn't hate him, after all our worst moments don't make us monsters, at least not when it’s for the greater good.
But still to extract a rainbow crystal from a sleeping old man, what if he didn't survive, no her majesty would know that he would be able to withstand it she did what was best for their people after all.
No, he needed to steel his nerves, he was nothing without the Obsidian order and look at what he had become surely the Hino's would have more potential. It was rare to find good people these days and he couldn't forgive himself if he couldn't repay them.
He went into Mister Hino's room and attempted extracted the Scarlet Rainbow Crystal.
Rei was seething her grandpa had disappeared yesterday and his room looked like a wild animal had gone through it, and she hadn't been having any visions. Who had done this? When she found them, she would rip them to pieces.
Usagi was extremely excited they were going to find a new guardian after all. One more new face added to the team, but she Ami looked pretty lost in thought and Luna had been nervous since the meeting
"Ami-chan what are you thinking about. "
"Usagi-Chan i have a theory, if the new guardian spends a lot of her time at a shrine, she might be more in tune to her powers, so the enemy would want to target her, to weaken us"
Ami was right as usual in the time Usagi got to know her not only was Ami, very intelligent she was also pretty observant. Usagi sure was lucky, she was glad Ami was a sailor guardian as well.
As they stopped by the Sendaizaka line, Usagi caught a glimpse of a beautiful girl.
Who sat next to her on the bus Usagi would have talked to her but she just couldn't muster up the courage and soon they reached their stop Hikawa shrine and to Usagi's excitement the beautiful girl got off as well but as she ran up to the shrine's gates finally mustering the courage to talk to her she was mobbed by two unusually large crows.
Rei felt it that insurmountable otherworldly aura, could it be that this was the malevolent force behind the missing cases. She wouldn't allow it those who brought destruction to her beloved home would be purified. So she acted on her impulse.
''AKURYO-TAISEN!!!''
She tossed the strongest most precisely drawn talisman at the enemy.
''ouch'' oh it was just a girl wait A GIRL.
she should know better than throwing random talisman at civilians oh SPIRITS.
''I apologize, that was quite rude of me''
But Phobos and Demos wouldn't simply attack some girl like that unless... was she marked by evil sprits. Rei gathered one of her talismans for protection and gave it to the the girl.
"For your safety, use it when in dire need." ,that should make up for her mistake.
As she walked back to the shrine she heard a familiar voice uttering a prayer.
"Please let my daughter return home" it was Mii's mother, what was she doing... no NO Miriko couldn't have gone missing.
"Rei-San have you seen Miriko around here I know she likes to come to the shrine often" Mrs. Yoshida looked... tired the woman clearly hadn't slept in weeks, judging by her eyebags and posture.
"No, I haven't seen her since you both visited a week ago, Unfortunately." Rei replied somberly
"I shouldn't have brought her here these past few day i just thought that this place, I'm sorry Rei i don't mean to imply."
"It's Alright Mrs. Yoshida." Rei was hurt, but she understood why she could have been angry.
But the other women around the shrine caught on to Mrs. Yoshida's comment and started berating her.
''WERE ARE OUR DAUGHTERS''
''CANT YOU USE YOUR SIXTH SENSE TO FIND THEM''
''HOW CAN YOU NOT TRY YOU HEARTLESSS GIRL''
''YOU AND YOUR HORRID GRANFATHER MUST BE SPRITING AWAY OUR DAUGHTERS''
''please leave'' Rei uttered her words weak against the angry mob.
Dammit she's gonna cry she isn't just..
"STOP DONT YOU DARE SLANDER REI SAN, SHE CLEARLY TRYING HER BEST LEAVE HER ALONE." That was first time rei had ever heard Junpei yell.
and after the mob dispersed. The girl she accidently cast a ward upon and her weird cat
"Rei right, I'm Usagi I saw what happened to you earlier and I got your friend, are you alright?''
''I'm fine, thank you for your kindness to me.'' Rei bowed
''I'm sure you want to go home now, again I'm truly your debt and thank you for stepping in as well Jun.''
''Rei-chan'' Usagi muttered ''She could be one of the guardians.'' She looked outside the bus window, as it began to rain.
''Carefully Usagi, she could be corrupted by the enemy I've sensed a dark presence around her.''
Suddenly Luna began to yowl in panic.
''Luna, what wrong, why cant you just talk to me'' Usagi said not understanding the reason for the cat's panic.
''Yeah Luna, just talk.'' That voice!
''YOU AGAIN!!'' Usagi yelled.
''Thanks for destroying my ear drums Dumpling head'' he sighed ''Man, were always running into each other aren't we?''
''W-WHY ARE YOU HERE''
''I'm stalking you''
''WHAT!''
''I'm going home, idiot''
''Wait really your a regular middle schooler.''
''I'll have you know, I'm in high school, Mamoru Chiba, first year, and you are,''
"Usagi Tsukino, third year middle schooler.''
She got off at the next station and annoyingly Mamoru had asked to walk her home obviously she wouldn't refuse. He may have been a jerk to her but something in her gut told her she could trust him still as he walked her back in a comfortable silence she couldn't help but worry about Rei if what the "boss" said was true then Rei had to be one of them a Sailor guardian then why did she somehow feel that something was off. She needed to go back there even if Rei wasn't the third Senshi. Usagi knew that she had to save her the only problem was to figure out who or what she needed to look out for.
"That boy was quite sharp"
"You have to be more careful, Usagi we cant let the enemy get to us, especially since your our leader." Luna muttered.
"Well you need be more careful too Luna we cant talk in public, there people around." Ami whispered, wow she really was the smartest out of all of them.
They were on the bus to the Hikawa Shrine, they had to try talking to Rei.
As they neared the Shrine, Usagi heard a Crash.
A Samurai like warrior in Copper plated armor with a Scarlet Katana the sharpest one she had ever seen HE HAD SLASHED THE BUS IN HALF WITH IT! Which had started a panic among the crowd as th Scarlet warrior began an attempt to abduct them
Usagi began to cower till felt a tug on her sleeve.
"Usagi Chan we have to run and transform, while he's not focusing on us'' Ami whispered.
They ran outside far from view of the bus.
''MOON PRISM POWER MAKE UP''
''MERCURY PRISM POWER MAKE UP''
Newly transformed them both went out to defeat this new enemy before...
"WAIT" Usagi turned back to see Rei running towards them.
"I saw what happened earlier, and i want to help with at least getting people to safety."
"Miss Hino even if you want help us you have clearly this samurai warrior is most likely the one that has been causing the recent abductions, this may be harsh but you must stay inside the shrine for your safety." Ami's words were harsh but the chance involving an innocent bystander in their fight was too risky even if Rei was a potential guardian.
"I'm sorry Miss Hino but Sailor Mercury is right its best if you stay out of this, okay." She patted Rei's shoulder
Both her and Ami rushed to the bus.
Luna watched Ami snuck behind the Scarlet Samurai and attacked.
"MERCURY AQUA MIST!!!"
This disoriented the samurai enough so that Usagi could deal her own blow.
"MOON TIARA BOOMERANG!!!"
Still It wasn't strong enough to the Samurai.
"SAILOR MOON KICK!!!"
The second time Usagi tried her Boomerang attack, the samurai managed to deflect it with his sword.
They weren't going to win like this did none of them have any offensive attacks she had to do something.
From the corner of Luna's eye she saw that most of the Passengers were evacuated to the Hikawa Shrine and spotted Rei Hino among the mist.
Luna did what she she had to do. She tossed the girl a transformation pen
"REI HINO WE NEED YOU!!!"
"What am I supposed to do with this" Rei questioned the talking cat.
"There's no time to explain please shout Mars Prism Power Make Up to transform" The cat answered
"MARS PRISM POWER MAKE UP" she transformed to match the the other two girls
"YOU HAVE TO ATTACK NOW" The talking cat shouted frantically
''PHOBOS, DEMOS AKURYO-TAISEN!!!'' Rei threw one of her charms at the enemy.
Her charm managed to burn away the armor to reveal HER GRANDFATHER. she detransformed the mist hiding the identity
"GRANDPA!!! I'M SO SORRY ARE YOU ALRIGHT" she was really what if she had...
"Rei, I'm fine dear but where are we..? I cant seem too recall waking up"
"Are you alright sir?" She heard Sailor moons voice they must have rushed over with Sailor Mercury in tow .
"Oh I'm fine could you two be the young ladies on the news." Her grandpa began to chat happily, thank the spirits he was all right but what in the world had happen to transform him into that THING. But first she needed to get him back home, and rested.
Jadeite was worried what had happened he managed to get the Hikawa shrine for his shift but was promptly turned away by Rei after she told him about the incident that had happed earlier, and after gathering further intel from bystanders it seemed that he was a new Guardian that had joined the ranks of those blasted Sailor Scouts but at least they hadn't found where he was keep the current energy suppliers. He needed another plan quickly, to obtain more energy for the Obsidian Kingdom least he be...
Rei need an explanation about, and she need it straight what the hell were these Sailor Guardians even doing the first why did her Grandpa turn into a bloodthirsty Samurai were at the forefront of her mind.
The cat or as she came to know Luna began to talk.
"You are a Sailor Mars, guardian of fire and passion one of the chosen guardians meant to face the enemy and find our princess. Your Grandfather is the reincarnation of one the Seven Great Warriors meant to protect this but was corrupted by the enemy in his previous life time, it difficult for me to recall my memories but i do know that we shall need to gather these"
Luna placed a shining Scarlet gem on table.
''This is one the seven fragments of the Legendary Silver Crystal and we must gather these fragment to reform then we must search for the moon princess...''
Rei looked at new teammates as they smiled at her, it felt good to be accepted but she had doubts about being a Sailor Guardian.
Sailor Sun! Really it’s just how I imagined myself as a sailor senshi. I was going to go with Sailor Earth but that is technically Mamoru and his Shitennou
