Disclaimer: The name Ken McKay belongs to Robert Frezza. The name Kane Fletcher belongs to Johanna Linsay. The name John Hawk belongs to Simon Green. The character of Roger McClintock and the Bronze Battalion belong to David Weber and John Ringo. All Sailor Moon references and characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi, TOEI, Kodansha & Pioneer.
Ken turned toward the intruder with an almost comical slowness. Upon sight of his target he fell to his knees. "Your highness? Prince Endymion? Is it really you?"
Damien had been so enthralled with the other gang leader's reaction he forgot to check out the new arrival himself. The man was tall, dark haired and Asian. He just knew it was all going to come down to that damn dream. "Let me guess," he started before anyone else had a chance to respond, "You're our Japanese liaison."
The man's lips curled into a smile. "These guys I know." He fixed his attention on Damien. "You, on the other hand, I don't."
Damien gave him his coldest grin and held out his hand. "Joshua Damien, but you can call me Hellspawn."
Gripping Damien's hand the Asian's smile only grew wider. "Mamoru Chiba, but you can call me Endymion if you choose. Nezumi seems to recall that name. It's as good as any."
"His name is Ken McKay and aside from him I don't think they know you, Mamoru, was it?"
"'Course I do," supplied Hawk. "He's all over Axe's database. Seems to be a superhero himself. Tuxedo Kamen. Tuxedo Mask for the whos at home."
"Tuxedo Mask? Not exactly Fear of God inspiring."
"Well, we work with what is gifted us and I'm not exactly the 'Fear of God' sort. I'm more the fade into the background, only show up when the situation is dire sort."
"Or the show up with cheesy lines backup support type." This was from a grinning Hawk.
"Hawk, show some respect," snapped Ken. "It's the Prince of Earth you're talking to."
"It's alright, Nezumi-kun," soothed the prince. "Taka always did have a loud mouth."
"'Nezumi' means 'rat' and 'Taka' means 'hawk,'" translated Hawk. "How convenient."
"And 'Mamoru' means 'guardian.'" Mamoru smiled. "It just seems to work out that way."
"Excuse me," shouted Roger, probably louder than he intended to, "But what the hell is a Japanese superhero doing in an American high school?"
"Roger," warned Ken, eyes pleading with his leader to not piss off the powerful prince.
Mamoru opened his mouth to respond, but Damien beat him to the goal. "He's your boss."
Roger's eyes narrowed. "What?"
"Okay, so he was your boss a thousand years ago." Damien couldn't help but grin. "This is Prince Endymion. He's the Prince of Earth. For all intents and purposes, he's the ruler of the entire planet. Now, bow down like a good little subject."
"Do you want to die?" asked Roger, flexing both fists.
Kane put a hand on Roger's shoulder. "Now, now, kiddies. I think we should let the Prince talk. He's our guest, after all."
All eyes oriented on the Japanese man. "I'm afraid Mr. Damien is exactly right. I've no idea how he knows all of that, but it's true." He focused on Damien. "And if Nadakai must bow, shouldn't you as well?"
A line from that morning's dream flashed through Damien's mind. Rohanu's brother was a guardian of Earth, but she wasn't. She was responsible for another system. Damien snickered. "Uh, that would be a no. I'm from the kingdom of Temple."
To be continued...