Disclaimer: I don't own Yoroiden Samurai Troopers or Sailor Moon. Please don't sue me. ::pouts::
I'm officially glad to announce that Chapter Ten is up and running! It took me a while to write it, but I had a specific idea that I wanted to go with this section of the story and it took a little longer than I expected. I've been given a lot more hours at work, so I've had less time to work on my stories. I want to thank you guys for your patience and thank all my reviewers. As a side note, if anyone is interested in reading another fanfic I'm working on, please email me and I'll send it to you. The name of the story is Darkness Calls and it's a Lord of the Rings fanfic with my own character thrown in the mix. As of today, it's still incomplete, but I'm willing to share it with whoever wants to read it. Anyway, I'm going to post the Japanese attacks below and the English translations beside it. Enjoy and review!!
So En Zan-Flare Up Now (Ryo)
Rai Ko Zan-Thunderbolt Cut (Seiji)
Cho Ryu Ha-Super Wave Smasher (Shin)
Gan Tessai-Iron Rock Crusher (Shu)
Shin Ku Ha-Arrow Shockwave (Touma)
Koraisen-Quake with Fear (Shuten, yes, I'm going to have him using his old attacks even though he's the Kaosu)
Tochimou-Web of Deception (Rajura)
Darkness Strike-Black Lightning Slash (Anubis, not too big of a change)
Snake Fang Strike-Snake Fang Strike (Naaza, duh .)
Ran Sei Zan-Star Sword Scream (Kayura)
Kikoutei-Armor of Inferno
Hopelessly Lost:
Chapter Ten:
The Tsuki no hime was still in an unconscious state after two days. Arago had made sure to keep it that way. He fed off of her energy to keep himself strong. The way he had rationed his withdrawals, Serenity would regain consciousness on the night that he had use for her. Then the power of the Ginzuishou would be his. The dark warlord took a deep breath. Finally he'd be rid of those annoying Yoroiden Samurai Troopers.
"Lord Arago, there's been no activity reported in the last twelve hours."
"Excellent. The Troopers have yet to find a way in. Double the number of youjas at each entrance and the triple the number of those in the wings." Arago ordered briskly.
"Hai, my lord."
Those fools wouldn't know what hit them. He'd lost Serenity once before and he wasn't about to let it happen a second time. The frail-looking hime lay still held down by the manacles. Her porcelain skin had turned the color of fresh fallen snow and her silvery hair had lost its sheen. The lack of energy had taken away her beauty. It almost made Arago regret what he'd done. Almost. An evil smirk crossed his face. If using the Ginzuishou didn't kill her, she'd become his queen. The castle needed a woman's touch anyway.
It had been lonely all those millennia without love or companionship. Both Chaos and Arago knew that feeling. Serenity would solve both of their problems. A sort of lust filled the symbiotic being at this point. They would be experiencing what most people did when they were in love or when they had a mate. Arago quickly turned from the hime and left the room. The clicking of his armor echoed off of the stone floor as he made his way back to the main audience chamber. Sitting on his thrown, he smiled to himself. If he could hold the Troopers off for a few more hours, he would become ruler of all. He was shaken from his thoughts when a youja threw open the doors and collapsed to his knees.
"Lord Arago, the Yoroiden Samurai Troopers have penetrated the barrier!"
----
"Shuten, are you sure you know where you're going? We've been going in circles, or at least that's the way it seems." Shu asked impatiently.
The Kaosu glanced calmly over his shoulder before continuing his search. "Patience, my friend. They've hidden the entrances to their world very carefully."
The Troopers held in their frustration as Shuten continued to use his power to find the holes in the barrier. They'd left that night as soon as Seiji had led them in transforming. It was now nearly dawn. That would only give them eight to twelve hours to find Usagi and free her from her captor's hold. How in Kami's name were they going to fight Arago's youjas and the warlords and still save Usagi? The hope that kept the five going was extremely frail. Visions of the weak princess kept entering Seiji's mind. The sight of her made his stomach turn and he didn't know how much more he could take. It was about this time that Shuten had located a weak point.
"It's going to take force to break through." He said matter-of-factly.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Shu asked, raising his bo over his head.
"Shu, wait. There's a better—" Shin started.
"Gan Tessai!" Shu shouted.
The earth under and around the barrier shook and cracked loudly. Bits of rock and dirt flew through the air as the barrier shattered at the weak point. Twirling his bo around professionally, Shu smiled as he rested the weapon on his shoulder.
"See? Nothing to it."
"Could you have been any louder, Shu no baka?" Touma hissed. "Now the whole Youjakai knows we're here."
Ryo broke them up quickly before Shu sent a fist flying. "Onegai, you guys. It doesn't matter now. We have a way to get in and I'm taking it. Sure the whole Youjakai may know we're here, but we have more important things to worry about. Usagi, if you remember."
The Troopers fell silent. Ryo ducked inside the barrier, followed by Shuten. The others quickly followed their leader into the Youjakai. They stood completely silent as they observed the scenery before them. The whole land was dark: as if no light had ever come to such a place. The barren ground was an ash gray color that cracked and splintered under the weight of their armored bodies. Within a few seconds, a mass of youjas rushed at them from various trenches that had been dug.
"Finally some excitement!" Shu cheered as he began fighting the oncoming youjas.
"Only you would find enjoyment in fighting." Shin said, bashing a youja in the facemask with the butt of his yari.
Wisps of smoke hissed from the armor as Ryo cut a youja in half with his kitanas. "It relieves so much stress though, Shin."
"I thought that's what Seiji was for." Touma said as he sent an arrow ripping through the breastplate of an attacking youja.
The blonde rammed his no-datchi through the middle of a youja as he looked up at Touma. "Hey, that's not funny."
Shuten laughed at the exchange between the Troopers. It was amazing how they could fight and still find time to talk and insult each other. That took true skill. He used his staff as a bo and ultimately dominated the warriors around him in skill. The youjas that had attacked him were quickly destroyed. He began moving toward Arago's palace.
"Hurry, Troopers. We don't have much time. Serenity-hime doesn't have much time."
The Troopers continued to fight their way through the youjas as quickly as they could. It seemed like a fruitless endeavor. The more youjas they cut down, the more reappeared to take their place. At this rate, they would never reach Usagi. The Troopers fought bravely to reach Arago's palace. The six of them had spread out in an attempt for at least one of them to get through the barrage. Ryo was the first to attempt to break away. Several of the youjas attacked him at once, stopping his efforts. He made a valiant try as he whirled his kitanas with skill and grace, but was thrown into the ashy dirt. One by one, the others tried their luck, but failed as well. It was then that Ryo called a retreat and they dove behind a set of large boulders.
Panting heavily, Touma winced from a head wound he'd just received. The blood trickled down just below the lock of hair that lay across the bridge of his nose. "What's the plan, Ryo? We're running out of time."
"Give me a minute to think, Touma." Ryo said, nursing a sword slice in his shoulder.
Looking around the huddle, the other Troopers and the Kaosu were in a similar state. Seiji sat by Touma, who had removed his helmet and green headband, and was attempting to heal the gash with what little energy he had left. The blonde promptly ignored the agonizing pain in his wrist, figuring that it was broken. Shin gritted his teeth as he tried to keep is mind off of the pain of the wound that had been induced by a youja. The metal of his armor had been penetrated above his left quadriceps. The warm sticky crimson liquid had just begun to ooze through the punctured armor plate. Shu gave a sort of whimper as he looked to his water-loving friend. His left eye was swollen closed. The redheaded Kaosu said nothing. Closing his eyes instead, he ignored his busted bleeding lip and his aching limbs. Shuten's face was bruised in several locations. Along with their other wounds, various other small cuts and scrapes adorned them.
"I've got it." Touma said suddenly. "If Shuten can create a light bright enough, we can blind the enemy temporarily. This diversion will give us enough time to break through the line and into the outer reaches of the stronghold. How does that sound, Ryo?"
"Considering what little time we have left, we don't have a choice." Rekka no Ryo said. "Let's do this."
They all rose to their feet, including Shin who was practically biting his tongue off to ignore the pain in his leg. Following their leader, the Troopers and Shuten rushed from their hiding place. Shuten made a great leap to the top of the boulders. Raising his staff, he began to chant ancient words. The wind whipped around the Kaosu's robes and lifted his red hair from his shoulders. The golden rings clattered atop the staff and filled the air with a metallic tinkling. Shuten exclaimed loudly and almost incoherently as a blinding white light engulfed the surrounding area. Rushing forward, the Troopers attacked the line like massive elemental waves crashing on the cliffs. All six managed to break through and make their way into the out reaches of the stronghold.
"They're going to find us soon." Shuten exclaimed, leaping over the outer wall.
"We've got to hurry. It's about twenty minutes to midnight." Touma said frantically as he followed Shuten over the wall.
----
"Mashos! Report to the outer reaches. The Yoroiden Samurai Troopers have broken through our first defense." Said Arago's voice, ringing telepathically through their minds.
"But, Lord Arago, what if they enter the palace?" That was Naaza.
"Only one Trooper will enter my palace. I have foreseen it." Arago replied.
A smirk settled over his features as he felt the energy of his Mashos disappear from the palace. He knew that Korin would make his way into the palace in an attempt to save his precious Serenity. Neither of them remembered about the past, but he'd learned it from the energy that he drew from the Tsuki no hime. He may have been the one that she was destined to fight over and over again, but her mother, Selenity had had a plan of her own. Chaos spun on his heel and made his way to the chamber where Serenity was being kept. Korin no Seiji would perish within the hour. No one could change that. Not even her.
----
"So good to see you again, little Troopers!"
Six heads jerked up to see Anubis appear in the air above them. The blue-haired Masho leered down at them as the other Mashos materialized around him simultaneously. All of them were in full armor and had a victorious look about them. Shuten scowled as Naaza sneered at him. Kayura eyed him with uncertainty.
"What do you want, Anubis?" Ryo asked, holding his kitanas at the ready.
"Only to be rid of you once and for all, Rekka. Do you know how very boring it becomes when I am not challenged?"
Shu growled. "You want a challenge? You've got it! Gen Tessai!"
Anubis easily escaped the earth-shattering assault. He snickered as Shu glared at him. "Nice try, Kongo. Now it's my turn. Darkness Slash!"
Bringing his clawed gauntlet across Shu's chest plate, the sickening sound of metal being ripped open could be heard. Shu was thrown into the nearest wall as a wave of soldiers emerged from the castle. Shin hurried to his friend's side as quickly as his injured leg would allow. The Senshi no Suiko rose to his feet with a feral growl escaping from low in is throat. Anubis's lips quirked in an odd sort of smile. He'd never seen Suiko act like this.
Shin brought his yari in front of him and closed his eyes concentrating. "Cho Ryu Ha!"
A great tidal wave smashed into the Yami Masho, sending him flying into the stone foundation of Arago's palace. Rajura shook his finger coyly at Shin in a negative manner. He disappeared and reappeared before the water Senshi in the blink of an eye. The Gen Masho's arm shot out, gripping Shin by the neck. Rajura lifted him up into the air and looked at him with his blue eye gleaming.
"Play nice, little Suiko. You've been a very bad boy."
Shin cried out in pain as Rajura's fingers tightened around his throat. He was either going to strangle him or break his neck, he couldn't tell which. Lack of air was making his vision begin to fade in and out. All he saw was Rajura's face sneering at him and the only thing he heard was the Gen Masho's laughter. Was this how it was to end?
"So En Zan!"
He felt the blazing heat as he heard Rajura scream in pain. Falling to the ground, Shin laid there on his back, groaning in pain. Bruises from the Masho's fingers had begun to show up on Shin's fair skin. Ryo was by his side in an instant, helping to set him up.
"Shin, doushite?" he asked.
"Hai, I'm fine, Ryo." Shin replied in a hoarse voice. "Just a little tired."
Ryo nodded. "One of us has to get in there. We've only got ten minutes left."
As the Troopers continued to fight on, the number of youjas increased around them and seemed in infinite supply. Each used his sure-kill, but for every youja destroyed, two more were there to take its place. The Mashos were also there to prevent their progress. It was then that Seiji slipped past the youjas and the Mashos. He ducked behind an archway and regained his breath for a moment. Looking back, Ryo saw him and nodded. Unfortunately, Rajura also saw.
"Where do you think you're going, Korin?" he asked in a diabolic tone. "You've escaped me for the last time. Tochimou!"
Seiji dove out of the way of the spell that the Gen Masho was casting. Rolling into a kneeling position, he didn't think he could dodge another attack. He clutched his wrist to him in pain. The broken appendage had taken the brunt of the dive and was excruciating. At that moment, Rajura hovered over him.
"Shin Ku Ha!" Touma shouted, firing an arrow that blew Rajura into the wall. "Seiji, go!"
The blonde nodded as he fled into the palace. He was now Usagi's only hope.
----
Who would've guessed that Arago's palace was so large? Running down the corridor, Seiji hung a right and continued on that course. He was so incredibly lost that he had no idea of how he was going to reach Usagi. Stopping, Seiji had just remembered a technique that would save him precious seconds. He closed his eyes and allowed his aura to spread throughout the palace, searching for Usagi. His gray eyes flew open. He'd sensed her aura. Luckily, he was headed in the right direction. Seiji took a few more turns before coming to the room where Usagi was being kept.
Entering quickly, the moon bunny wasn't hard to locate. She lay unconscious on a slab of stone in the center of the room. A frown graced Seiji's face. Usagi was chained down. The Senshi no Korin made his way over to the Tsuki no hime and knelt down beside the slab. His features softened as he looked at Usagi's tired form. Seiji brushed a few strands of her silver bangs away from her closed eyes with his gauntleted hand. A weak smile settled on his lips.
"Don't worry, Usa. I'll have you free in a minute." He promised. A soft moan filled the silent chamber.
"Seiji?"
Looking down, he saw Usagi pull her eyes open weakly. Korin suppressed a gasped as he gazed into her silvery blue eyes. "Hai. I'll get you out of here." He told her gently. Usagi's facial features contorted into an expression of fear as she gazed over Seiji's armored shoulder.
"Seiji, look out!"
Whirling around, Korin no Seiji's lips pressed into a line. Rising to his feet he stood to face whomever was hiding in the darkness. Slinking out of the shadows, Arago moved to stand before him. A ruthless smile twisted his face.
"Ah, we meet again, Korin no Seiji. I've been expecting you."
"Release her, Arago." Seiji growled.
The evil Masho barked a laugh. "You're not even in here for ten minutes and you're already making demands. I'm impressed, Korin. Most others I've encountered would be cringing in fear by now."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Arago. My friends and I would gladly face you again without fear." Seiji replied.
"Is that so? Then let us waste no more time talking. The time now comes to battle."
Arago-Chaos held his no-datchi at the ready beside him. Seiji ignored the pain in his broken wrist and readied his no-datchi as well. The two rushed at each other and their no-datchis met causing the still air of the chamber to fill with the clanging of metal. Usagi looked on as she desperately attempted to free her wrists from the manacles. Seiji and Arago leapt apart from each other. Bringing his no-datchi above his head, Seiji concentrated his energy at Arago.
"Rai Ko Zan!" he shouted. Lightning shot down from the heavens and struck Arago where he stood. Instead of inflicting damage, the attack seemed to please him.
"A valiant effort, but pitiful nonetheless."
With a flick of his wrist, Arago lifted Seiji into the air with his powers. Another twist put the Trooper up side down, causing his helmet to fall to the ground with a loud clatter. Seiji was suspended there as Arago moved toward and stood face to face with him. Usagi rattled the chains of the manacles madly.
"Please, Chaos. Spare him. I'll give you the Ginzuishou, but please don't hurt him." She pleaded.
"I'm dreadfully sorry, Serenity, but this boy has caused me enough trouble. Besides, if he is killed, Rekka no Ryo won't be able to form the Kikoutei armor." He turned back to Seiji with a malicious smile. "That means its time from you to die, Korin."
With a swift movement of his arm, Arago sent Korin no Seiji careening into one of the nearby stone parapets. Seiji made contact with the stone with such force that his head was snapped back and bashed against the column. A sickening crack of bone resonated throughout the chamber as his limp form fell to the floor. Seiji lay there on his side, as his own blood pooled around him. Arago smiled wickedly. There was not doubt in his mind that the Trooper was dead.
Usagi cried out in rage and horror. The sight of Seiji's broken body was too much for her. A rushing feel of electricity coursed through her veins as she found the power to break free from her shackles and rose up on the stone slab. An eerie glow settled on her skin as she stared at Arago-Chaos with hardened eyes. He would pay for hurting Seiji.
"Moon Cosmic Power! Make-up!"
Just as the other Troopers entered the room, a blinding silvery white light surrounded the slab. As the light died down, before them stood a warrior garbed in silver and white fuku. Her silver hair was done in twin ondongos with streamers hanging gracefully down her back. In her hand was an ivory-looking staff with a flower-like Ginzuishou resting at the top. A pair of pristine white wings sprouted from her back. Only then did they realize that this warrior was Usagi. The others stood in awe until Touma spotted Seiji's still form lying on the floor.
"Kami, Seiji!" Ryo placed a hand on his shoulder to prevent him from moving and his eyes never left Sailor Cosmos. Chaos laughed.
"We meet again, Cosmos. I must say, you weren't as angry the last time we battled."
Cosmos growled dangerously. "You have overstepped the line this time, Chaos. I will not tolerate such insolence from you!"
Chaos laughed. "That is precisely what you said when you thought you sealed me away in the Galaxy Cauldron last time. As you can see, you were quite wrong. I am alive and well."
Without anymore talk, Cosmos launched herself at Chaos with blinding speed. He raised his no-datchi almost casually and blocked the attack. Cosmos jumped back. She had to think her attacks through. One small mistake could result in her defeat and the universe's demise. She couldn't very well lose at this point.
----
Eight heads shot up from their current activities. They had felt the power of Cosmos being unleashed. Their hime was still alive and in danger somewhere. The Senshi quickly met at the Crown Arcade to discuss the current situation.
"Ami, can't you do a computer scan locking on to Cosmos's energy?" Rei asked.
"Hai, I should be able to, Rei-chan. It's all a matter of if it's strong enough to lock on."
Hotaru looked up at Michiru with hopeful eyes. "Does that mean we're going to find Usagi-chan?"
Michiru smiled down at her surrogate daughter. "Hai, Hota-chan. We'll get Usagi-chan back, don't you worry."
"The energy signature is gone." Ami said, the hope leaving her voice.
"Then the only thing we can do is wait for the next time it appears." Setsuna told them. They all nodded in agreement.
----
Chaos stood laughing at his adversary. Cosmos was using most of her energy merely to stand. Her battered form was a sorry sight to the Troopers. They had all tried to help her, but had ended up hindering her instead. Chaos was enjoying himself, however. He decided that the easiest way to defeat Cosmos would be to anger her and cause her to attack him blindly.
"Don't be foolish, Cosmos. Do you really want to end up like your friend over there?" he asked, referring to Seiji.
The silver-haired girl's eyes filled with angry tears of resentment as they fell on Seiji lying in a puddle of crimson. Her power level leapt incredibly. A silvery aura became visible to everyone standing in the room. Beneath her gloves, Cosmos's knuckles had turned white from the pressure with which she was gripping her staff. So much emotion was built up inside of the small girl that she began to shake.
"You have made a tragic mistake of harming one dear to me. For that, you will pay, Chaos." She said in an oddly calm voice. "Cosmic Moon Power!"
The pure power of the Ginzuishou increased around the room, rushing over Chaos and sending him flying into several of the stone columns. When the light died down, he rose to his feet as best he could. Blood from different wounds leaked all over his bare skin and his armor and mixed in with his white hair. Chaos glared at her.
"This is not over, Serenity. I will be back."
A cold wind rose into the room and he was gone. Cosmos sighed in dismay made her way slowly over to the others. "Doushite?"
"We're all okay, Usa-Cosmos." Touma stumbled.
"Define 'okay.'" Shin said. Cosmos looked at him in horror. They all were wounded horribly.
"Please, help Seiji first." Ryo pleaded and Cosmos nodded.
The rustling of her fuku was the only sound that could be heard at that moment. Cosmos knelt down beside Seiji and was somewhat afraid to touch him. Rolling him over onto his back gently, she placed her gloved fingers over his slightly parted lips. There was no breath. Picking up his good wrist, she felt for a pulse and found none. She squinted her eyes closed from the pain of realization. Seiji was dead. Cosmos brushed his golden locks out of his closed eyes as silent tears raced down her cheeks. She laid her head on his plated chest as she sobbed loudly. The other Troopers had made their way over to her and stood with the same dumbfound expressions on their faces. A twinkling of light caught Cosmos's attention.
The flower-like Ginzuishou had appeared floating in front of her. Of course. She could bring him back to life with the use of her crystal. A small smiled made itself present as she pulled Seiji into her arms. Onegai, Ginzuishou. Bring Seiji back to the world of the living. Onegai. The translucent crystal glowed softly in response. Seiji let out a cough and then a groan. Cosmos gave relieved laugh. He slowly pulled open his eyelids to reveal the stunning gray and a smile played on his lips.
"I like the new look, Usagi." He said barely audible. A fresh set of tears burst forth from Cosmos.
"Oh Seiji! I thought you weren't going to come back! I didn't want to lose you." She sobbed.
The Senshi no Korin smiled. "I'm not going anywhere, Usa." His gaze then turned to the other Troopers. "How are you guys doing?"
Touma laughed gently. "When the Ginzuishou brought you back, it must've healed us too, because the wound in my head is gone."
"Not quite. The Ginzuishou only took away your pain temporarily. I'll heal you all when we get home. I'll get you all out of here and I'll explain everything once we're back at Natsui's place."
Rising, she had Seiji's arm draped over her shoulder to support him. Cosmos made sure that the Troopers were all gathered around. When they were all present, she thanked her lucky stars that they were all alive.
"Sailor Teleport!"
Well, that's all for now, folks. I hope you enjoyed chapter ten! Don't forget to read and review! I'm looking for those five reviews or no update! Thanks a bunch you guys!
Aeden